22/04/2026
Strengthening Partnerships for a More Resilient Seychelles
The Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM), On the 21st April 2026, welcomed a delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster resilience and climate risk governance in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The delegation included Mr. Antonio Palazuelos (Consultant), Mr. Nassim Oulmane (Head of Unit at UNECA and Lead of the RESIslands Project), and Mr. Kjartan Fjeldsted from the Programme Management Office. The team is in Seychelles from 19–23 April 2026 for a five-day Blue Economy workshop and was officially received by Principal Secretary Mr. Daniel Cetoupe and Ms. Catherina Bonnelame, Principal Risk Management Officer, reaffirming DRDM’s commitment to strong national and international partnerships in disaster risk reduction and resilience building.
A key purpose of this mission is to introduce the RESIslands Project in Seychelles and to undertake preliminary consultations with national stakeholders ahead of more detailed engagement sessions in the next phase. The RESIslands Project Strengthening the institutional capacities of African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC) member states to manage climate risks and bolster resilience is a regional initiative implemented by UNECA and supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It brings together nine African island states, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and Zanzibar (Tanzania), with the objective of strengthening institutional systems for climate and disaster risk management. The project focuses on improving multi-hazard risk assessments, enhancing the use of climate and disaster data for decision-making, strengthening early warning systems, and supporting evidence-based planning and investment in resilience over a multi-year implementation period.
Discussions during the visit highlighted the importance of shifting towards a more proactive, risk-informed approach to disaster risk management, placing greater emphasis on preparedness, early action, and long-term resilience rather than response alone. For DRDM, this engagement reinforces its continued commitment to strengthening national capacity, fostering innovation, and working closely with international partners to address evolving climate and environmental risks.
As Seychelles continues to strengthen its role in regional and global resilience efforts, such engagements underscore the importance of cooperation, knowledge sharing, and sustained partnerships in safeguarding communities and building a safer, more resilient future.