Seychelles highlights importance of Goal 14 of oceans sustainibility at UN Post 2015 Development Agenda Summit

Mr. JoëlMorgan,Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport is representing President Janes Michel at the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda currently being held in New York, United Nations Headquarters,25-27 September 2015.

In hisaddressto the UN Post 2015 Development Agenda Summit,Minister Morgan described the Post-2015 Development Agenda as the 'most important long-term plan we have for our survival'andon behalf of Seychelles gave his support to the adoption of the Agenda.

He highlightedGoal14 whichrelatesto thesustainability ofthe oceans asvery important for Seychelles and for SIDS,given their vulnerabilities.He also said that though Seychelles has achieved most of the Millennium Development Goals, 'the Post-2015 Development Agenda must continue to put greater emphasis on the fight against climate change, poverty, education including early childhood development and higher education and a strong emphasis on gender equality as the tools to achieving sustainable development'.

Pope Franciswasalso invitedto address thedelegateson the first day oftheSummit. In his remarks, Pope Francis said that the Adoption of the 2030 Development Agenda is'an important sign of hope' and that his wish isthat theforthcoming ParisConference,COP21 'will secure a fundamental and effective agreement' on Climate Change.

The other members of the Seychelles delegation are Mrs. Marie-Louise Potter, Seychelles Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Mr. Ronny Jumeau , Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing States issues, Mr. Justin Etzin, Consul General of the of the Republic of Seychelles in New York, Ms. Wendy Isnard, Second Secretary from the Seychelles Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Ms. Lindy Ernesta , First Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport and Ms. Deborah Cholmondeley,Attaché, Seychelles PermanentMission to the UN .