Africa-Press – Seychelles. A group of individuals from various departments and organisations are taking part in a three-day workshop on climate change diplomacy, aimed at equipping key stakeholders in government with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of climate negotiation and diplomacy.
The workshop has been organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and is being led by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) at the National Museum of History’s conference room.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Tuesday morning, the principal secretary for economic planning department, Elizabeth Agathine, said the urgency of addressing climate change is no longer a distant concern; it is a global reality that demands our collective attention and immediate action.
“The challenges posed by climate change are undeniable. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and increasing sea levels are not isolated incidents; they are the shared consequences of inaction and a call for unprecedented international collaboration. Our response to these challenges will define the legacy we leave for generations to come,” she said.
The workshop is an acknowledgment of the profound impact diplomacy can have in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Diplomacy, at its core, is the art of bridging divides, forging alliances, and seeking common ground, even in the face of complex and multifaceted global issues, PS Agathine added.
“In the realm of climate change, diplomacy is our most potent tool. It enables us to build consensus, negotiate agreements, and rally nations towards a sustainable future. It is through diplomacy that we, as representatives of our respective nations and organisations, have the opportunity to foster international cooperation, catalyse change, and ensure that the challenges of climate change are met with the resolve they demand.”
“Let us work together to ensure that climate change diplomacy becomes the force that unites us in the pursuit of a sustainable and resilient future,” she concluded.
On her part, the chargée d’affaires of the Australian high commission in Mauritius, Katie Lalor, who was addressing those present via zoom, said climate change is one of the greatest threats the world is facing right now especially for small island developing states.
“It is a problem that no country can solve alone and we need to work together to tackle this global challenge,” she said.
She commended Seychelles for its commitment to sustainable development and combating climate change, and on measures already being carried out in these fields.
Also present was the World Health Organisation representative in Seychelles, Dr Rex Mpazanje who noted that Seychelles will be expected to continue being a leading voice for small island nations and African countries in addressing climate change.
In an interview with the media, Beatrice Stanimirova, representing UNITAR, said the workshop also serves as preparation for the upcoming 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28 UAE) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held at Expo City, Dubai in November-December this year.
“The Leave No One behind fund is an important part of UNITAR’s mandate to address cooperation with nations across Africa, small island developing states and least developed countries with capacity building and development as well as focus on targeting the educational needs of such countries. Climate change is an important topic of discussion nowadays so we are focusing on this emerging problem.”
“Such capacity building is important to diplomats and country representatives in big conferences such as COP28. We are training the diplomats to become the next leaders in this topic, and to be more knowledgeable and advanced in their skills to bring the discussions and issues forward. We believe such trainings with focus on negotiation skills in international complex scenarios will help benefit such countries,” she said.
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