POLOKWANE – During the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai Expo City, Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan emphasized the critical need for sustainable action in the face of climate change. In his address to world leaders at the high-level segment for heads of state and government, he underscored the urgency of these discussions.
According to Seychelles News Agency, many commitments, including the $100 billion promise, scaling up adaptation finance, and the new Loss and Damage Fund, remain unfulfilled, heightening the urgency to tackle the climate crisis. He urged leaders to demonstrate a steadfast political will that translates into concrete actions, aiming to restrict global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Seychelles, situated in the western Indian Ocean, is a small island state disproportionately affected by climate change, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. The President highlighted that 90 percent of Seychelles’ infrastructure and human activities are concentrated in low-lying coastal areas, making them highly susceptible to climate impacts.
He expressed concern that the current trajectory threatens to undermine Seychelles’ economy, forcing the redirection of finances from critical areas such as education, health, and food security to environmental protection. Ramkalawan emphasized the importance of the Loss and Damage Fund, recently bolstered by $100 million pledges from the UAE and Germany, to be equitable and effectively aid countries experiencing climate-related disasters.
He also stressed that the fund should be accessible to high-income small island developing states (SIDS) like Seychelles, advocating for a less complex financial mechanism. The President cited a recent survey in Seychelles estimating a requirement of around $22 million for road infrastructure and coastal erosion mitigation measures. Additionally, he mentioned that Seychelles updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) indicates a need for $600 million over the next decade for mitigation and adaptation, which amounts to a significant portion of the nation’s GDP and annual budget.
President Ramkalawan criticized the current criteria for accessing concessionary finance as disadvantageous for SIDS and called for urgent reform of multilateral international financial institutions to ease funding for climate change projects. Despite these challenges, he affirmed Seychelles’ commitment to decarbonizing its energy sector, transitioning to green mobility, and protecting its terrestrial and marine ecosystems, noting the recent return of blue whales to its waters as a testament to successful conservation efforts.
Furthermore, Seychelles is participating in the Dubai Expo City with a Pavilion, hosting various events including presentations on eco schools’ projects and sustainable business opportunities.