Category Archives: Seychelles

Sterilising a dog also brings health benefits to the animal. (Seychelles News Agency)

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Five volunteer veterinarians will join the Department of Agriculture on La Digue to carry out another free dog sterilisation camp as part of efforts to reduceand control the around 6,000-strong stray dog population in Seychelles.

Carried out under the 2023 Dog Control Programme, the next camp is expected to take place in mid-October. The department has already carried out three other camps at Grand Anse Mahe, Anse Etoile, and Beau Vallon.

In an interview with SNA, the department's chief animal health and livestock officer, Rodney Philo, said that at each location a little over 100 dogs - male and female - were sterilised.

"This number could have been higher. We, unfortunately, had to turn away some people because their dogs were in heat or had a health condition.We are getting high turnouts during the free sterilisation camps.When it was paid, people didnot really come to have their pets sterilised," said Philo.

He shared that the free camps, however, come at an expense to the department and the government.

"This is a very costly operation for us. To sterilise a dog that weighs 4 to 5 kilos, it costs SCR 700($54). This means thatjust for the medicationto sterilise the 103 dogs at Beau Vallon, it costs us SCR76,500, ($6,000)," said Philo.

Stray dogs, which normally walk around in packs, cause a nuisance in the communities, showing aggression towards people in public areas, fighting and eating, or causing harm to livestock on farms or other pets on private properties. Some dogs with owners, but who are not properly kept on the owner's property, also add to the problem.

With the stray dog situation in the country at an alarming level, through the Dog Control Programme, the department seeks to prevent unwanted litters, which will directly reduce the stray dog population and save up on the resources of the department and its partners. Dog shelters in the country are currently operating at capacity and are understaffed.

Sterilising a dog also brings health benefits to the animal as it becomes less prone to certain cancers, behavioural issues, and life-threatening conditions.

"Pet owners need to be more responsible. It is the release of unwanted litter by pet owners on the street that contributes to worsening the stray dog situation in the country. We highly encourage the public to call us when they have unwanted pets wepickthemupand eitherrehome the animalswith the help of SSPCA or Pet Havenorhumanelyputthemto sleep after sevendays," said Philo.

He shared that the department is working on bringing in an expert, specialised in humanly catching stray dogs to provide training to the relevant local staff. For example, the department's staff will be trained on how to use a shotgun to tranquilise stray dogs, allowing for safer capture for both the dog and the person.

Philo noted that the stray cats are also a concern for the department.

"We are discussing the possibility of undertaking cat sterilisation camps. We want to focus on bringing down the number of stray dogs first, then tackle the cat problem," he continued.

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Free sterilisation of dogs camp in Seychelles to start in October - Seychelles News Agency

Victoria, Seychelles Everyone knows that small island states are on the frontline of global warming. Rising sea levels, acidification destroying fisheries and coral reefs, and changing patterns of rainfall are just some of the challenges. Some low-lying islands have already been lost to the ocean.

These challenges are real and can hardly be understated. Yet there is another side to the story, too: one that tells of a creative response and new opportunities. The fact is that small island states are on the frontline of the Blue Economy.

Several years ago, in 2016, I wrote a book (Rethinking the Oceans: Towards the Blue Economy) to show why urgent action was needed. The interconnected seas cover most of our planet and yet we have always treated them as second best, as if the riches that are found there will last forever. Instead, I have for long argued that our approach must be sustainable. It must serve not only today's needs but also tomorrow's generations.

A decade ago, the idea of the Blue Economy was poorly understood. Why, people would ask, is it any different from how the sea has always been used? Things have changed since then and the question is no longer 'why' but 'how'. In my second book on the subject, Revisiting the Ocean: Living the Blue Economy, I show what progress has been made and where we can find some of the most important changes.

There is a great deal more to be done, not least of all in stemming the relentless flow of harmful practices. But there are already signs of progress. To show this, I look to local communities and business startups, to visionaries and philanthropists, as well as international bodies. Go to remote beaches to see how communities (often led by women) are taking matters into their own hands. Or to the workshops of inventive young entrepreneurs who are finding ways to do things better. I am a realist but also an optimist and in my new book I try to balance a pervasive sense of impending doom with a strong message of hope.

COP28 will bring together the great and the good, drawn by the prospect of a new approach. But it will also attract those who are not so enamoured with a sustainable approach to the ocean. Fast-growing nations with, literally, billions of mouths to feed will not so easily be persuaded that sustainability is the right approach. Nor will commercial and other interests which are poised to scrape the ocean floor for rich mineral reserves. Yet, if we are not to destroy our planet, restraint has to win the day. In the crowded rooms of the upcoming event in Dubai, we must lose no opportunity to press the case.

My own nation, Seychelles, has one of the world's smallest populations and yet, surrounded by a vast stretch of ocean, we have pioneered new ways to sensibly manage this immense gift of nature. Planning our marine space in a rational way is how we are making progress and I commend the lessons to other small island nations. We have also been innovative in attracting funds and the ways we have done this, too, is a shared resource.

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Under the auspices of the European Union, Seychelles last year hosted an event where African entrepreneurs displayed their exciting ideas and projects. Fabrics produced from leaves and fish skin gathered locally, natural fertilisers from seaweed, productive ways to recycle fishing nets, and desalination units using renewable energy. With the help of large funding bodies like the UN and EU, much more can be done to unleash creative energy. Revolutions invariably start in small ways and nothing short of an ocean revolution is needed. Urgently!

I look forward to COP28 and I know that the host nation, the United Arab Emirates, will do all that it can to lead by example. Let us go to the conference with enthusiasm, welcoming every new initiative. I will be there, along with friends from other small island states and it is up to us all to make our voice heard.

Copies of my new book will be available at the event (as well as direct from https://www.jamesmichelfoundation.org) and I hope I can share with you some of my own ideas and a record of the wonderful efforts being made around the world to save our precious ocean.

James Michel is a former president of the Republic of Seychelles and a leading international advocate of the Blue Economy.

IPS UN Bureau

Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau

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Seychelles: Small Islands With Big Aspirations - AllAfrica - Top Africa News

The Commonwealth Group observing the presidential run-off election in Maldives has praised the countrys Elections Commission for implementing some of the recommendations it made from the first round of voting.

The Commonwealth Observer Group said it was impressed by the Elections Commissions efforts to improve processes, including around the protection of secrecy of the ballot - which included relocation of some polling stations to more spacious facilities and modification of voting booths.

Issuing the Groups Interim Statement at a press conference in the capital,Mal, the former President of the Republic of Seychelles and Chairof the Commonwealth Observer Group, H.E. Danny Faure, said:

Voter verification was yet again well managed during this election. We also observed the changes introduced in relation to applying indelible ink to the voters. The additional ballot boxes at some polling stations significantly improved queue management and led to a smooth process.

The statement also commended Maldivians in the UK where the Commonwealth debuted its first ever diaspora voting observation mission. It noted that polling was conducted according to prescribed procedures, with a high degree of transparency and professionalism.

The Groups overall assessment is that thesecond round ofthe Presidential Election was peaceful and transparent, and it praised theMaldivian people for their commitment tothe democratic process of their country.

In concluding the press conference, the Chairperson said:

On behalf of theCommonwealthObserver Group, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to the people of the Maldives on this PresidentialElection and to President-electDr. MohamedMuizzu.We look forward to seeingtheorderly and peaceful transition ofpower, atruetestament totheCommonwealths democratic values.

The final report, which will set out the Groups full findings on the entire election process, and offer recommendations for consideration, will be submitted first to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and thereafter shared with the Government of Maldives, Elections Commission, political parties, and Commonwealth governments, before being made public.

Read full interim statement

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Observer Group lauds Elections Commission of Maldives in its ... - Commonwealth

Nowhere epitomises desert-island escapism quite as magnificently as the Indian Ocean. This region has an obvious advantage unbeatable screensaver scenery, with palm trees, turquoise seas and bleached blond beaches pretty much standard.

But those Crusoe landscapes are only part of the reason why Ive been drawn back dozens of times over the years (largely for work, admittedly, but the best kind of work). It is also home to some of the best-designed resorts on the planet, so your Maldivian bedroom may come with a retractable roof letting you fall asleep looking at the stars; or have a massage 8m below the waves at an underwater spa.

Fortunately, chefs enjoy a week on the beach as much as the rest of us and many have Indian Ocean outposts, so Ive dined at restaurants as good as any in the worlds leading capital cities. Better, arguably for instance, the contemporary curries of Vineet Bhatia, the father of modern Indian cooking, are only improved by the sultry heat of Mauritius.

Theres top-notch pampering everywhere, but especially in Sri Lanka, where theyve been practising ancient ayurvedic therapies for almost as long as they have in India. Meanwhile encounters with the giant tortoises in the Seychelles provide an unforgettable Disney-cute moment for children of all ages.

A holiday in paradise doesnt have to cost a fortune either. Zanzibar has some excellent all-inclusive resorts with prices that shouldnt prove too spicy, even for a committed bargain hunter.

The region has been a honeymoon favourite for ever and although hotel and travel companies are starting to set their sights on families and other non-coupley visitors, something the region doesnt have is fly-by-night fads or trends. It doesnt need them the Indian Ocean already has a winning formula.

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The countrys latest gold standard Soneva Fushi was the resort that first put the Maldives on the map, introducing the archipelagos no news, no shoes castaway-chic trademark. Since then it has been joined by Soneva Jani, which cemented the brands reputation for barefoot brilliance. When it opens in January, Soneva Secret will take the concept two steps further no neighbours and nothing on the horizon either. Squirrelled away in the super-remote Haa Dhaalu atoll, the 14 villas are so well spaced a brass band could be playing next door and you wouldnt hear a thing. Each has driftwood decor with 007 touches, such as retractable roofs as well as its own entourage, from personal butlers and chefs to therapists, as well as yoga and dive instructors, all on hand to satisfy every peel-me-a-grape request. The top suite will be the countrys first floating villa, using technology developed during the construction of Hong Kongs airport. Details Seven nights full board from 15,960pp, including flights and transfers (originaltravel.co.uk)

Recent opening with easy eating The beaches in the Maldives are so sizzlingly good it can be hard to leave your sunlounger, even when youre starving. The team at the zingy new Dhawa Ihuru feels your pain and so has introduced the Nectar concept, allowing guests to order Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Maldivian and Mediterranean meals direct to their favourite palm tree. If you prefer conventions such as dining tables and chairs, theres the beachside Riveli Restaurant. Alternatively, take a free shuttle boat to dine at nearby sister island Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. To help you work up the requisite appetite, theres a colourful house reef and a 24-hour gym. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 2,562pp, including flights and transfers (kenwoodtravel.co.uk)

New family-friendly stay The sight of half-eaten rusk ground into the floor can kill the mood for most holidaymakers. The new Avani+ Fares in the Baa Atoll, a Unesco biosphere reserve, appreciates that children dont always have the best table manners so it has Petit Bistro, a dining club just for kids, as well as six more restaurants for those who can use a knife and fork. There are kids and teens clubs too, if parents fancy a break. The focus for the progeny-free is the fancy spa, and DJs and fire dancing at after-dark beach parties. All ages will love spotting dolphins in the lagoon and snorkelling with manta rays at Hanifaru Bay. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 3,487pp, including flights and transfers (destinology.co.uk)

A truly comprehensive all-in This is one of the Maldives best all-inclusives so youll be embedded in luxury without running the risk of a nervous breakdown at the cost of every glass of champagne poolside. There are more bubbles in the complimentary minibar, which is restocked daily (something that many other all-ins charge for). The 90 villas are spacious, with a zesty design and bikes parked outside for outings to the spa or dive centre (again and even more unusually included). There is a childrens club and family-friendly sittings in the underwater restaurant; or make friends with the fish during daily snorkelling excursions. And if youre already frazzled by the school run and the maths homework, there are still some half-term bargains available. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 3,699pp, including flights and transfers (bestattravel.co.uk)

A revamped old favourite Huvafen Fushi has been one of the archipelagos best-loved resorts since it opened in 2004. But popularity takes its toll on paintwork so it closed in May for a top-to-toe refurbishment. It relaunches on November 1 with a new look that, rather appropriately, is less radical facelift, more refreshed after a good holiday. Villas are minimalist havens but with a warmer palette of lagoon-green teals and Piz-Buin bronzes. Some things dont need tinkering with. The main draw here will still be a massage in its underwater spa, watching the fish as your aches float away. Details Seven nights B&B from 5,556pp, including flights and transfers (elegantresorts.com)

The Maldives grande dame Baros, the third oldest resort in the Maldives, celebrates its 50th anniversary in December. Those early pioneers had their pick of the prime locations so Baros is built on a former coconut plantation that is particularly lush, with one of the destinations best house reefs a few fin splashes away, which means its ageing even better than Helen Mirren. Five decades work has allowed them to get that hospitality thing down to a fine art slick enough to have gained fans such as Penlope Cruz. The villas are equally sleek, decorated in the shades of the deep blue sea, many with butler service and private pools. Dining is suitably red carpet. Details Seven nights B&B from 3,260pp, including flights and transfers (scottdunn.com)

Great value spot with easy transfers Sand and sea do not discriminate between four and five-star resorts, so the scenery on Bandos is as stellar as anywhere in the archipelago but the prices arent nearly so sky-high. It is only a ten-minute ferry ride from the capital, Mal, so you will see a fair bit of cargo traffic but that proximity also means a mercifully short transfer after an overnight flight. Rooms are traditional, with thatched ceilings, bare floorboards and simple wooden furniture; many have four-poster beds and outdoor bathrooms. The four restaurants include a Japanese teppanyaki table where a chef slices, dices and cooks in front of you, and one of the three bars is overwater and perfectly perched for the unbeatable sunset views. Details Seven nights B&B from 1,379pp, including flights and transfers (virginholidays.co.uk)

Romantic escape where you meet the locals Most guests to the Maldives never get to hang out with someone who actually comes from the country. If youre seeking somewhere that offers more of a cultural immersion, Alila Kothaifaru combines the laid-back luxe of pool villas and a treetop spa with the chance to visit the nearby community of Maduvvaree and have a home-cooked Maldivian lunch with a local family. The resort is good on romantic moments too. This year it has built the Shack on its private sand spit, a classy upgrade on the castaway prototype thats just for two. Guests arrive by traditional dhoni boat, have a massage and drinks before dinner under the stars. Details Seven nights B&B from 4,274pp, including flights and transfers (fandptravel.com)

Adults-only pampering Anantara Veli has recently emerged from a nine-month renovation and has been reborn as a swanky, adults-only resort where the focus is on wellness. Guests can transform their stylish tropical villa into a private spa sanctuary for the night, with light, sound and scent therapy, ayurvedic spa amenities, in-room yoga and treatments and an earthing mat for meditation. The rest of the resort bolsters your emotional health, with first-rate Japanese, Mediterranean, Indian and Thai restaurants, a spa with a hammam, and activities such as cookery classes, beach games and surf lessons, as well as the chance to kick back and watch a film at its cinema under the stars. Details Seven nights half-board from 2,629pp, including flights and transfers. Book by October 14 (ba.com)

Two holidays in one resort One side of the resort has the stillness of the bird-filled lagoon; the other designer-clad people-watching at the beach. In between are vast tropical gardens and Constance Prince Maurice, many experts top pick for Mauritius. The resort works as well for honeymooners as families. The former will love last-night candlelit dinners on the floating decks of Le Barachois restaurant, overlooking the lagoon and mountains; youngsters will love the kids club, which offers everything from manicures to cookery classes. Add an excellent spa, a kitesurfing school, a TikTok-bossing beachfront infinity pool and access to two golf courses at the nearby sister resort Constance Belle Mare Plage and everyone else should be happy too. Details Seven nights B&B from 2,129pp including flights and transfers (tui.co.uk)

Grande dame gets a reglam LUX* Belle Mare is the grandest of Mauritian grandes dames, on one of its best beaches, overlooking a glimmering lagoon and with a lush jungle backdrop. The old girl is back at centre stage after a makeover that has added a moodboard of pastels in coral, green and sandy white to its tropical architecture, as well as throwing in some billowing linen for your Insta reels. Thankfully, the trademark LUX* focus on dining and wellness remains intact. There is contemporary Indian cooking by Vineet Bhatia, in the signature restaurant Amari by Vineet, and innovative treatments such as aerial Thai yoga. As the resort is on the windier east coast there are plenty of kitesurfing spots nearby. Details Seven nights B&B from 1,940pp, including flights, transfer and 300 spa and dining credit per room (cazloyd.com)

JEAN-BERNARD ADOUE/STUDIO J

Take it to the beach After displaying admirable imagination on their carefree piazza-style living concept, the owners clearly ran out of steam when choosing their hotels name. Still, Long Beach is an accurate description of the half mile of killer white sand that fronts the resort. Clever design divides the 255 bright and zesty rooms between three hubs, four swimming pools and lush landscaping, giving the welcome impression of boutique intimacy. There are myriad ways to keep active from football and beach volleyball to golf and nature walks and almost as many ways to refuel, with Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisine, and a Mauritian restaurant where you can sink your toes into the sand during candlelit dinners. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 2,124pp, including flights and transfers (firstchoice.co.uk)

Back to Mauritian roots Zilwa means islander in Creole, and the design of Zilwa Attitude at the northern tip of the island has been inspired by the traditional wood-and-thatch fishermens homes, so it feels more like a local village than a standard resort. Cuisine stays close to home too its seven restaurants segue through the islands culinary influences, including Chinese and Indian, but the highlight is probably a casual lunch at Taba-J, which offers a spin on typical Mauritian street-food shacks with its fabulous rotis, faratas, dholl puris and curry of the day (warning: they can be spicy). The 214 rustic rooms are rooted in the region too, sporting the red, blue, yellow and green of the Mauritian flag. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 1,643pp, including flights and transfers (kuoni.co.uk)

Private island sophistication If you cant decide between the naturally lush beaches of the Seychelles and the Maldives, the island of Desroches is a classy compromise. It has the dreamy Seychellois jade-green jungle and Jurassic Park-style wildlife, but it also has eight miles of pearl-white beaches and pristine reefs. Design for the Four Seasons 71 villas and suites draws on Creole heritage and colonial influences, so youll feel like very posh pirates. Active options include all the usual suspects paddleboarding, kayaking, diving, sunrise and sunset yoga and you also get to meet the 150 resident Aldabra giant tortoises. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 6,620pp, including flights and transfers (elegantresorts.com)

All-action resort If you are more busy bee than sunlounger lizard, punch Constance Ephelia into your holiday sat nav. There are water sports, tennis, squash, rock-climbing, diving and snorkelling in the national marine park of Port Launay, access to two golf courses and zip lines strung over the forest canopy. That should surely tire you out enough to flop at one of its five pools, two boulder-strewn beaches or huge spa. There are 313 rooms sprinkled throughout the resorts 290 tropical acres and five bars and six restaurants to cover all your culinary whims. Details Seven nights half-board from 3,242pp, including flights and transfers (abercrombieandkent.co.uk)

Picture-perfect boutique While on a Vogue shoot in the Seventies the fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri found the skinny beach and sexy drape of jungle at Anse aux Poules Bleues so irresistible that he bought a plot and built Mango House. Now converted into an adults-only boutique hideaway, Barbieris artiness prevails in mementoes dotted throughout the original building, while the photogenic 41 rooms have muslin-draped four-poster beds framing distant misty mountains. The resort is in a corner of southwest Mah that has barely changed since the snappers day it is low-key, lush and popular with locals visiting its trio of restaurants, including Moutya, where Creole dishes are cooked in coconut husks over coals. Details Seven nights B&B from 2,799pp, including flights and transfers (turquoiseholidays.co.uk)

Spa-lover central Raffles Seychelles offers an adorable David Attenborough moment: the chance to meet the resorts 100-year-old Aldabra tortoises. But you can also explore and improve your inner world at its stress-busting spa. The dozen treatment pavilions built into the hillsides greenery are open-air, so the sea breezes and ocean waves add some nature-based therapy to the intricate pearl and caviar facials, tai chi-balancing massages and wildflower-strewn candlelit bathing rituals. The 86 tropically modern villas are also wedged into that steep hillside, so they have the same to-die-for outlook onto the bay. Most have plunge pools where you can extend your spa soaks, and all have butler service to ensure that your martinis are expertly shaken or stirred while you stay nicely chilled. Details Seven nights half-board from 4,045pp, including flights and transfers (inspiringtravel.co.uk)

Original 18th-century features in atmospheric town This converted 18th-century mansion, formerly owned by a printing company, makes the ideal boutique base in the world heritage town of Galle. On a prime spot on Pedlar Street, its in the thick of the cool indie fashion stores and laid-back restaurants that have made the old Dutch quarter of the south coasts port city a magnet for digital nomads. Rooms in the main building have a pared-back minimalist aesthetic that works beautifully with their original beams and antique hardwood floors, while more contemporary suites are dotted in villas down the road. Theres a dinky pool and a frangipani-filled courtyard for relaxed seafood suppers. Details B&B doubles from 175 (thefortprinters.com). Fly to Colombo

The modernist architects house Its impossible to get more than three sentences into a Sri Lanka guidebook without finding a mention of the local architect Geoffrey Bawa, whose indoor-outdoor tropical modernism style is still much copied 20 years after his death. Lunuganga is the 15-acre rubber plantation that he transformed over four decades into his wildly romantic private home. Its a tourist sight in its own right but once the day-trippers have gone you get its whimsical gardens and misty lake to yourself and a choice of ten characterful bedrooms including Bawas old suite and Cinnamon Hill, a secluded outbuilding with alfresco bathroom. The estate is pin-drop quiet but the bustle, beaches and bars of the popular west-coast Bentota resort are only a short tuk-tuk ride away. Details B&B doubles from 125 (teardrop-hotels.com). Fly to Colombo

Plantation escape Perched above the Ravana Ella waterfall in an unspoilt valley, this is the place to dunk your traditional Sri Lankan gnanakatha cookies in your tea. You can enjoy tours of the organic tea plantation, tastings of its artisanal brews, tea and food pairing workshops, and the chance to pick and process your own batch of tea. Cheerful rooms are divided between a 100-year-old farmhouse, old tea pickers quarters and a 1930s planters bungalow. A stay is the highlight of a tour that also includes a tea-themed trek along the Pekoe Trail, passing eucalyptus forests, Buddhist temples and waterfalls, a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella and time on the beach at Tangalle. Details Eight nights B&B from 2,895pp, including flights, transfers, some extra meals and carbon contribution (experiencetravelgroup.com)

Tea and therapy Vickum Nawagamuwage is a former global consultant for Deloitte who was one memo away from burnout when he called time and returned home to set up Santani Wellness. His spaceship-sleek wellness retreat on a former tea plantation near Kandy plugs you back into nature for a subtle reboot. Yoga is riverside, mountain biking and hiking are through lush jungles and afterwards ayurvedic doctors advise on personalised treatments. Rooms that are more modern meditation caves with views over the craggy Knuckles mountains further encourage decompression. Meals are nutritionally balanced and, of course, theres plenty of tea and sympathy. Details Seven nights full board from 3,329pp, including flights, transfers and treatments (healingholidays.com)

Island castaway fantasy OK, Fanjove is hardly cheap, but it is miles more affordable than Mnemba, Tanzanias only other private-island resort, which is so wildly expensive that its in the Is that Bill Gates at the bar? category. Whats more, Fanjove is looking the real Crusoe-with-knobs-on deal right now after a complete rebuild thats given extra castaway oomph to its ten thatched shoreline villas and open-air restaurant. There are sunset dhow cruises and sundowners at the 19th-century lighthouse; otherwise its wildlife rather than nightlife, thanks to pristine coral reefs and seas full of spinner dolphins and green turtles. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 4,645pp, including flights and transfers (expertafrica.com)

Fishing-village escapism Locals also call the island Nosy Boraha; holidaymakers will be delighted to call this dot off the northeast coast of Madagascar home its 85 sq miles of utter heaven. Its empty beaches and sleepy fishing villages epitomise slow-lane living, while the eco-focused Mantis Soanambo helps to apply the brakes too, with 48 pared-back rooms in tropical gardens. This is the place to be between July and September, when humpback whales pass through the channel between le St Marie and the mainland to their breeding grounds. Year-round on le aux Nattes, accessible only by dugout canoe, a network of trails lead to even sleepier villages and emptier beaches. Details Eight nights B&B from 1,595pp, including flights and transfers (steppestravel.com)

Moorish marine park all-inclusive The image of Zanzibars all-inclusive resorts as a bit tacky is changing thanks to properties such as Emerald Zanzibar, standing on Muyuni beach within a protected marine park where you can see surgeonfish and snappers among the corals. The low-rise Moorish design in its 250 suites, inspired by the islands Arabic history, features atmospheric dark woods and latticework. Theyre spacious enough to sleep three, and a child sharing with two adults can stay and eat for free. The spa also nods to heritage with a Zanzi Island Spice ritual that uses local coffee, cinnamon and orange for a lively scrub and massage. Details Seven nights all-inclusive from 1,229pp, including flights (awayholidays.co.uk)

Stick to the slow lane Heres an offer you cant refuse: Mafia Island is less touristy than Zanzibar, less expensive than the Maldives and home to the small but perfectly formed Pole Pole eco lodge. Pole means slow in Swahili, and this place takes the term seriously. Activities tend to be snail-paced, so think walks to Arab ruins and local villages or daily snorkelling excursions. The nine timber bungalows are decorated with Swahili fabrics and antique furniture, and are a hop and a skip from the azure waters of Chole Bay actually, make that more of a shuffle; this place doesnt encourage moving fast. Details Seven nights full board from 2,603pp, including flights and transfers (aardvarksafaris.com)

Which is your favourite hotel in the Indian Ocean? Let us know in the comments below

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25 of the best hotels in the Indian Ocean - The Times

Former President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Danny Faure, will lead a team of Commonwealth election observers to the Republic of Maldives, which will be holding a presidential election on 9 September 2023.

This will be the first Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to observe an election in the country since Maldives re-joined the Commonwealth in February 2020.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, constituted a COG following an invitation from the Elections Commission of Maldives.

There are 282,395 eligible voters in this year's election who will have the right to cast their ballot for their choice of presidential candidate.

Commenting on the COG, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC said:

"In the spirit of our Commonwealth's enduring commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, I am delighted to announce the establishment of a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for the upcoming election in Maldives. Our Commonwealth family stands united in its dedication to supporting democratic processes, fostering transparency, and ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard.

The Commonwealth's presence in Maldives reaffirms our steadfast belief in the conduct of inclusive, transparent, and credible elections. We will be guided by the values enshrined in our Charter, promoting democracy, respecting fundamental rights, and contributing to the advancement of peaceful societies."

Secretary-General Scotland acknowledged the commitment of the COG members to this important mission and extended gratitude to each observer for their willingness to serve the Commonwealth in this capacity.

Reflecting the diverse expertise and experience of Commonwealth member countries, the COG consists of 11 eminent individuals from various backgrounds, including politicians, diplomats and experts in law, human rights, gender equality and election administration.

Observers will arrive in Mal, Maldives, on 2 September and depart the country on the 15th. The Group will be supported by a staff team from the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The Commonwealth Observer Group members, in alphabetical order by country name, are:

The mandate of the Group, which is independent and impartial, is to observe the preparations for the election, the polling, counting and the results process, and the overall electoral environment. The observers will assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the strengthening of the electoral system in Maldives.

Prior to deployment across Maldives, the Group will hold briefings with the electoral authorities, political parties, law enforcement agencies, the diplomatic community, media and civil society groups representing women, youth and people with disabilities.

Upon fulfilling their mandate, the COG will submit a comprehensive report containing their observations and recommendations to the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

This report will subsequently be shared with the Government of the Republic of Maldives, the Elections Commission of Maldives, political party leadership, and Commonwealth member governments. The report will also later be made public.

For further information and media inquiries, please contact :

Yvonne Chin Irving Communications Consultant

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Danny Faure, Former President of the Republic of Seychelles to ... - Commonwealth

The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of the new Board of the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) and its new Appeals Board.

Mr Percy Quatre has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the SLA Board.

The other Board Members are:

Dr Steven Renaud

Ms Annabelle Pillay

Ms Karine Bonne

Mr Jeevan Palani Batcha

Ms Zenabe Daman

Ms Shantana Barbe

The new Chairperson of Seychelles Licensing Authority Appeals Board is Ms Jolle Perreau and the other Members are:

Ms Shireen Denys

Mrs Frederika Confait-Poussou

Mr Liam Weber

All the Board Members have been appointed for a for a 3-year period effective from the 1st August, 2023.

The President has also thanked the outgoing Members for their period of tenure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.

This Press Release has been issued by APO. The content is not monitored by the editorial team of African Business and not of the content has been checked or validated by our editorial teams, proof readers or fact checkers. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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According to the annual health sector performance report of 2022, cardiovascular diseases are attributed to 280 deaths in Seychelles - 30 percent of total deaths. (Wikimedia/Volganet.ru)CC-BY-SA 3.0

Seychelles' health ministry is launching a new population-based survey on cardiovascular diseasesandother non-communicable diseases to assess the distribution of health behaviours, diet and main risk factors in the wholepopulation.

The survey, which will be conducted from mid-August 2023 until December 2023, will help local health authorities startthe process to establish a better database on cardiovascular diseases.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are those not transmitted through infections from person to person such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancer.

According to the annual health sector performance report of 2022, cardiovascular diseases attributed to 280 deaths in Seychelles - 30 percent of total deaths, followed by cancer at 159 deaths which is 17 percent.

"The aim of the study is so that we can see the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and other NCDs in Seychelles," explained Bharathi Viswanathan, programme manager for NCDs.

She said that this will allow the authorities to have information onhow many people have them.

A random selection of 18 to 74-year-old living in Seychelles has been chosen with the help of the National Bureau of Statistics for a survey that will study people's behaviours, lifestyles in relation to non-communicable diseases in the country.

"We will have the chance to see if those who have the diseases are properly following their treatments to control them in addition to maybe discovering new cases of the disease," she said.

The Ministry of Health is receiving help from its local partners, Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec) and the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) for funding to carry out the survey.

For the first time, there will also be a screening for cancer with the information being collected used to better design screening methods and provide an accurate picture of the situation in the country.

"The survey will help us adjust our services to the information we collect with this new group," said cardiovascular health official, Dr Pascal Bovet.

In addition to information concerning NCDs, the team will also ask questions about mental health, and whether there are certain impairments, which will also be very helpful to the social services databases.

Other studies carried out in the western Indian Ocean archipelago had shown an increase in obesity in children and the diseases associated with it.

However, Bovet allayed the fears by explaining that risks for such illnesses in Seychelles have decreased, however, with a growing and ageing population numbers will appear larger.

"We have evidence here in Seychelles that the risks have also decreased a 45-year-old man now has less risks of cardiovascular diseases than his father did at the same age," he expanded.

Bovet attributed the improvement to a variety of reasons such as better treatment or people adopting healthier lifestyles.

Meanwhile, the 15 person- strong team undertaking the survey are health officials from various units in the ministry, and will see participants from 6.30 am to 8.30 am during weekdays, targeting at least 20 people per day".

Preliminary results will be provided to the participants of the survey although the questions and tests have been set in a manner to provide rather general information on the participants' health.

For Praslin and La Digue, the second and third most inhabited islands, health officials will be coming to the islands in October to see the participants.

The survey will conclude in December, after which the officials will work on a report of the findings to present in January next year.

Link:

Seychelles launches national survey on cardiovascular and non ... - Seychelles News Agency

Ehi Braimah, the publisher of the Naija Times, says the new marine and blue economy ministry is full of opportunities to grow Nigerias economy.

On August 16, President Bola Tinubureleased the list of the ministers and their portfolios, listing Adegboyega Oyetola as the minister of transportation and Bunmi Tunji-Ojo to head the marine and blue economy a new ministry.

However, days after, the presidentannounced the reshuffling of his cabinet, redeploying Oyetola as the minister of marine and blue economy and Tunji-Ojo as the ministry of interior.

Speaking on Monday during Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme, Braimah said the blue economy has the potential to add trillions of naira to Nigerias annual revenue if steps are taken to fix loopholes.

The journalist, who said he has been researching the blue economy since 2020, noted that putting a credible strategy in place and taking cues from established models across the world would help the new minister learn the ropes quickly.

He said the African Union has estimated that the potential of a blue economy in the continent is about $300 billion.

If we get our acts right, Nigeria will be making a lot of money. In fact, we have no reasons to be in deficit, he said.

Just imagine, about three years ago, our appropriation budget was N10.5 trillion which is about $ 29.42 billion. We were using the rate at the time. Today, we are having a budget of N21.83 trillion with a deficit of N12.1 trillion.

If we stop all the leakages and optimise our revenue channels, Nigeria has no business being in deficit.

As a matter of fact, our revenue every year should be in the region of 40 to 50 trillion naira and the blue economy which has just been created will add to that revenue.

There are a lot of opportunitiesits to build a credible strategy and to know more about the blue economy.

For the benefit of the new minister who would head the ministry, there are already established models so lets start from there.

We can learn from the Republic of Ireland, for example, South Africa, Seychelles they established blue economy models. In 2012, that was the Republic of Ireland, then in 2014 that was South Africa, then Seychelles was in 2015.

Secondly, opportunities for growth revenue growth, job opportunities, livelihood. I can talk about fishing. There is a lot of fishing going on in our coastal communities. Im also talking about transportation marine transportation, shipping.

Braimah said the country is losing a lot of revenue to a lack of optimisation of maritime transportation, adding that more vessels exporting goods out of Nigeria will reduce the pressure on the foreign exchange in the country.

He also said the new ministry will create jobs in the country in different areas especially as there would be a lot of inter-agency collaborations under the ministry.

Although Braimah said a lack of accurate data and maritime insecurity would pose challenges, he expressed hope that seasoned hydrographers and the Nigerian Navy will support the new ministry to sail smoothly.

The marine and blue economy oversees a range of economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coastal areas.

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Ehi Braimah: Blue economy will boost Nigeria's revenue -- no ... - TheCable

Saudi Arabia's Seba Tawfiq (green) runs with the ball during a friendly football match against Bhutan in Abha on September 24, 2022. Photo: AFP

The Oceania Football Confederation and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation have signed a memorandum of understanding which could see the Middle Eastern's recently-formed women's teams play in the Pacific.

The agreement will focus on women's football, beach soccer and futsal.

The two organisations will collaborate and cooperate in areas such as technical and managerial football development, competitions and friendly matches.

"The recent development of women's football in Saudi Arabia with a women's football league and a women's national team is commendable, and OFC will be happy to share its expertise and help SAFF in this area," OFC general secretary Franck Castillo said at the signing ceremony in Sydney.

The MOU, which is for an initial period of five years, will allow teams from Saudi Arabia to participate as guests in OFC competitions, and vice versa.

The deal comes as the Women's World Cup final concludes this weekend with the final between Spain and England.

While none of the six Asian Football Confederation slots were filled by Middle Eastern teams, Morocco represented the Arab World and made the last 16.

Saudi Arabia women's team, known as the Green Falcons, played their first-ever match in February 2022 against the Seychelles, winning 2-0 win in a friendly tournament in the Maldives.

"It was an incredible journey when I was the head coach," German Monica Staab told FIFA.com.

"I was a part of history. The first official international FIFA match in the Maldives against the Seychelles. And we won. It was just amazing how these girls were playing."

Staab, who is now the technical director for the Saudi Arabian women's team, said there were 800 applicants for the try-outs for that first national team, from which they selected 35 players.

In 2019, a Premier League and a First Division were both launched in Saudi Arabia, along with a league involving 50,000 girls, and about 3,600 participating schools.

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Saudi women's football teams could play in Oceania under new deal - RNZ

Conserving and using the oceans, seas and marine resources in a sustainable way is one of the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity by 2030.

More than three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods, and globally the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at $3trn per year. Therefore, investment in the conservation of our marine environment is seen as the next frontier in the responsible investment market in the form of blue bonds.

See also: High Seas Treaty will boost interest, access and issuance of blue bonds

According to the UN Global Compact, blue bonds today are where green bonds were 10 years ago. The green bond market has seen rapid growth,with more than $1trn in total issuance, and blue bonds are poised to see a similarly strong market.

ESG Clarity spoke to Stephen Liberatore, head of ESG and impact, global fixed income, at Nuveen, to find out more about this emerging investment space.

Can you explain why investment in ocean conservation is so important?

The ocean covers more than 70% of the surface of our planet and is home to some of the most diverse, unexplored and unique habitats. However, due to increased ocean pollution from fishing, discarded plastic, oil spills and more, marine eco-systems are more vulnerable than ever before.

Blue bonds, a subset of green bonds, are relatively new to the market and provide investors with an instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects, preserve local tourism and encourage sustainable ocean management practices. It is crucial we combine both public and private investment to mobilise resources to empower local communities and protect our oceans.

What kind of funds are investing in blue bonds?

Any institutionalinvestor can become involved in blue bonds, working alongside governments, conservation groups and other stakeholders to develop projects. For instance at Nuveen, we worked alongside The World Bank back in 2018 to launch the worlds first blue bond in the Seychelles, where we were the lead investor.

More recently in March this year, we acted as the anchor investor buying 80% (roughly $58m) of a rare blue bond designed to help finance debt relief for Barbados and protect its marine environment. The bond aimed to preserve local tourism and the fishery industries, the latter of which contributes to 40% of Barbadoss GDP, through sustainable ocean management practices in the Caribbean nation. It was the first time Nuveen allocated capital to a bond that is tied to a so-called debt-for-nature swap.

How do you measure the impact that blue bonds have?

For the Barbados Blue Bond, Nuveen uses impact data provided to the Marine Spatial Plan Steering Committee a body consisting of The Nature Conservancy, government officials and local stakeholders to monitor the progress of capital allocation and conservation targets.

What should be done to further incentivise investment in blue bonds?

In order to further incentivise investment in blue bonds, we need to continue raising awareness of their numerous benefits.

Blue bonds support local communities across the planet with a range of opportunities, including coral reef restoration, reducing the negative impact of fishing, for example moving away from nets to long lines, and increasing clean water resources.

One example to demonstrate their benefits is the recent Ecuador blue bond, which targeted the protection of marine resources in the Galapagos archipelago. The Galapagos are considered one of the most ecological diverse areas on the Earth and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.One of the main environmental commitments of the transaction is the development of a 60,000 kilometre marine reserve including a 30,000 kilometre no-take zone where the protected hatcheries will support adjacent fishing grounds.

What hurdles are blocking the development of the blue bonds market?

Blue bonds are an emerging area of climate finance, so amongst certain investors there is a lack of understanding over their purpose and potential. Blue bonds are a fantastic innovation to enhance ocean and coastal preservation while providing economic benefit to the issuers and their citizens. Therefore, the need for education is more important than ever to ensure blue bonds continue to be supported and launched.

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Nuveen Q&A: There is lack of understanding over the potential of ... - ESG Clarity