The Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Receives the New United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles

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On Monday, 30^th January 2023, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, met Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh, the new United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for Mauritius and Seychelles at Maison Quéau de Quinssy. Ms. Singh was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, in November 2022, and she is based in Mauritius. She will present her credentials to the President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, on Tuesday, 31^st January 2023 in a ceremony at State House.

The Principal Secretary congratulated Ms Singh on her new appointment and conveyed her gratitude to the UNRC office for the various Cooperation portfolio between the two parties over the years. She reassured them of the continuity of the excellent relationship.

On her part, Ms Singh expressed her hopes to continue on this great momentum set by her predecessor. She noted that her aim during her tenure is to keep building and strengthening key areas of common interest to reach all expectations set for both parties.

Amongst the pertinent topics discussed was the external vulnerability of high-income Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The economic effects of the pandemic have highlighted the urgent need for high-income SIDS to have access to concessionary finance due to their inherent vulnerabilities. On that note, both parties acknowledged the importance of advocacy for the adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI).

Other topics discussed were potential joint programmes, the upcoming prioritisation retreat between the UN and Seychelles government, capacity building initiatives such as the system thinking training and opportunities for secondment for the staff of the Department.

Ms. Singh replaces Mrs. Christine Umutoni who ended her tenure in October last year.

Also present at the meeting were the Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Gervais Moumou, the Director General for Multilateral Affairs, Ms Amenda Padayachy, and the senior officials of the Foreign Affairs Department.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism - Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.