Seychelles had the honour of organising the first World Wetlands Week, held from January 31 to February 5, under the theme ‘Wetlands connects life & culture’.

This event of great international importance, which was normally celebrated as a one day event on February 2, falls under the wing of the Ramsar convention – an intergovernmental treaty committed to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources.

To celebrate this week-long event, various educational, cultural, ecological and social activities were organised, showcasing a selection of Seychelles wetlands features.

The official launching of the event took place at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS) on February 1, in the presence of Seychelles’ Vice-President Joseph Belmont; Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Anada Tiéga; Sustainable Development Director of the World Tourism Organisation Luigi Cabrini, as well as other dignitaries.

Speaking at the opening, the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Joel Morgan, conveyed the importance of wetlands to our country.

“We islanders live closer to nature than many others and we have long understood the importance of wetlands and environmental services and resources they provide us with,” he said.

“Our main goal is to strengthen the collective voice for the conservation and preservation of the wetlands in Seychelles.”

Mr Tiéga also gave a keynote address, saying Seychelles is leading the way on the “wise use” principle of the convention, especially in its tourism industry, food security strategy, fisheries, biodiversity conservation and human health through watershed and waste management.

Mr Tiéga said Ramsar appreciates Seychelles’ sustainable tourism industry policy through controlled coastal and hotel development, giving information to tourists about the coastal environment and increasing the size and number of protected areas.

The ceremony was marked by the launch of a wetlands documentary entitled Wetlands and Ecotourism in Seychelles.