United Nations in Mauritius

The Sustainable Development Goals in Mauritius are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Mauritius:

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16 February 2022

Through the Eyes of the Youth - SDG Photo Competition

How to Participate Take a picture relating to any of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and tell us what it means to you in the context of Mauritius. Indicate which SDG(s) are linked to your photo(s). Write a brief story (less than 150 words) for each photo to explain how your shot is linked to the chosen SDG(s) and why it matters to you and to your country. General Rules Submission deadline is 27 March 2022. Results of the competition will be announced shortly after by the Jury. The contest is open to two age groups: Minors (Ages 12 – 17) Youth (Ages 18 – 25) IMPORTANT: Minors (Aged 12 – 17) eager to participate in the competition will need their parents or guardians to submit on their behalf. Participants must select one or more of the 17 SDG’s. Participants may submit a maximum of two photos per selected SDG. Creativity and/or original thinking will improve your chances to win. Participants must submit original copies of their images. After submitting entries, the photos, with permission from participants, may be used by the United Nations in the future for non-commercial purposes. Participants must include their full name, age and contact information in submissions. Please note that group entries are permitted, but all participants in the group must be of the same age category. Please also ensure that each minor in the group has provided written parental consent to participate. Material Specifications - File type should be in JPEG. File sizes must be more than 5 MB and less than 15 MB per photo. Photos will be accepted in both black/white and colour. Participants are free to express their creativity through editing images as long as their photos remain true to the original. ***Submissions should be sent to the following email address: sdgphotocompetition.mauritius@gmail.com (please use this email template https://bit.ly/3I1lCWE to submit) or via this web interface:https://bit.ly/3Jlhsci Learn more about the SDGs and Agenda 2030 - go to:https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-de velopment-goals or https://sdgacademy.org/courses/ Win Prizes Cash Prizes for Minors (Ages 12 – 17) Through SBM Amigos account voucher 1st Prize: MUR 50,000 2nd Prize: MUR 30,000 3rd Prize: MUR 20,000 Cash Prizes for Youth (Ages 18 – 25) Through SBM Savings account voucher 1st Prize: MUR 50,000 2nd Prize: MUR 30,000 3rd Prize: MUR 20,000 Additional Prizes (Top ten for each age category) offered by Rogers Group: An organised visit to Bel-Ombre Biosphere to showcase various SDGs: Visit of the Yellow Submarine (SDG 4, SDG 14, SDG 17) Bis Lamer at CBeach ( DG 4, 14) World of Seashell Visit (SDG14) Giveaway of local produce from Agria (SDG 12) Glass bottom session (SDG14) Rehabilitation of River Jacotet where each student can plant a tree (SDG 15) Visit to Feypalmis (SDG 12) Learn about Photography Basics - We encourage you to use the quality free resources available on the Internet to develop photography skills which will in turn enhance your chances of winning. Irrespective of the technology you will use, applying basic commonly accepted techniques will contribute a lot in taking good photos. The following links are provided as guidance:https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/photo-composition.html or https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules or https://digital-photography-school.com/composition-in-photography/ If your photograph includes images of people please consider the following guidelines - https://bit.ly/3rYhBg5 ***UN staff members (including interns and consultants) and professional photographers are not eligible to participate. Jury Panel members are not eligible to participate. All entries not respecting the theme, or the technical/authorship requirements set out below will not be considered. With thanks to our partner Business Mauritius and sponsor SBM and Rogers Group

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17 November 2020

COVID-19: Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control Capacity in Mauritius

A Training of Trainers on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Case Management post COVID-19 is being conducted from 12 to 16 October 2020 at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Mauritius to strengthen capacity of health workers who are fighting COVID-19 at the forefront. WHO has successfully mobilised additional funding through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), European Commission in view of supporting the Ministry in strengthening the IPC measures to prevent COVID-19 across community based, primary health care and educational institutions. The training workshop was declared open by the Director Health Services, Dr Mariam Timol of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in the presence of technical officers of the Communication Diseases Control Unit and high officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius and the technical staff of the WHO country office and some 30 trainers. Dr M. Timol, Director Health Services addressed the participants during the opening of the workshop and highlighted the proactive actions taken by Mauritius since the registration of the first cases in Wuhan to strengthen surveillance at the point of entry. “The country has been successful in controlling the spread in the community and this would not have been possible without the dedicated support of all front-line health workers,” said Dr M. Timol. “Think of your responsibilities in the coming days as the country opens its borders gradually,” said Dr M. Timol to the trainers which comprise specialists working in public health, public health nursing officers, surveillance officers, pharmacists, public health food and safety inspectors, among others from the main Island and from Rodrigues. The trainers will in turn facilitate the training of some 1370 health workers on IPC and COVID-19 Case Management. “The Ministry would like to express its gratitude to WHO for the continuous support provided during the COVID-19 outbreak and by facilitating this training of trainers through implementation of the Canadian/European Union Project,” said Dr M. Timol. Dr M. Timol pointed out that “Mauritius has been listed as one of the highest among the 13 high risk countries in the Africa region for COVID-19 infection. We are COVID-19 safe in Mauritius because of the effective measures taken by the country including sensitization, screening, strengthened surveillance at point of entry and strict travel bans, which halted the spread of COVID-19 since 26 April 2020”. The latter highlighted the rigorous contract tracing mechanism in place in Mauritius which permitted tracing of cases quickly for treatment. “However, the threat is still here, we need to stay vigilant,” added Dr M. Timol. The threat posed to health workers by COVID-19 is more challenging. More than 40 Countries in Africa region reported infections among 10,000 health care workers (HCW), 10% of all cases globally are among health workers. Dr Laurent Musango, WHO Representative in Mauritius during his speech, emphasized on the fact that 37 health care workers and other support staff, representing 9.3% of all cases as on October 2020 were infected. “The infection rate among health workers in Mauritius is very high,” said Dr L. Musango who highlighted the vulnerability of health care workers as the essential services resume. “You have to be very careful in case of resurgence of COVID-19,” advised the latter to the trainers. “There is great need to reinforce the Infection Prevention Control Programme in the country. This training of trainers will enable us to achieve one of the strategic objectives of the Health Sector Strategic Plan which was launched recently,” emphasized Dr L. Musango The training will be delivered in didactic virtual by Experts from the WHO Regional Office for Africa and regional IST-ESA and face to face session which will be facilitated by local resource persons. Mauritius is promoting a culture of IPC in hospitals with the implementation of appropriate guidelines, an IPC committee has been set up at the level of the Ministry and all sanitary measures are being strictly observed in hospitals as well as at primary health care level.

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26 August 2022

UNCT Mauritius and Seychelles Retreat 2022

The UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles was joined by UN regional directors, a deputy director, heads of agencies with their senior technical staff, and development partners. This first in-person retreat since 2020 (due to the pandemic) embodied the spirit of the UN reform strengthening cooperation and identifying opportunities for collaborative, coherent action to further the two government’s development agendas and achieve the sustainable development goals. The main UNCT retreat was preceded by a two-day retreat for the PMT bringing together all programme managers across the agencies and RCO team. Mrs. Christine N. Umutoni, Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles welcomed the participants with a speech reflecting that crisis brings challenges and opportunities. COVID-19 has opened everyone’s eyes to the value of collaboration, coherence, and cooperation. She emphasized that the PMT is vital in supporting this inter-agency cohesiveness, as we all strive to support governments to jointly implement CFs and toward achieving our common vision of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. Over the course of the PMT retreat presentations around the annual results reports, CCA process, joint programming, and regional initiatives provided a springboard for breakout sessions, which encouraged sharing lessons learned and lively discussions producing an action plan. Fostering Synergies for Sustainable Development was the focus of day 1 of the main UNCT retreat. The purpose of the retreat and the centrality of UN Coherence and Leaving No-One Behind to achieve the SDGs were examined, with remarks from both governments, and an opening from Seychelles’ Minister for Youth, Sports and Family. Development challenges and opportunities were discussed, including a review of UN achievements under the current SPF, key priorities, and opportunities for joint UN programmes, and looking forward to a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. A unique aspect of this year’s retreat was the opportunity for strategic engagement within the context of the retreat on day 2 with the most senior authorities in Seychelles, beginning with H.E the President of the Republic. The UN Family, led by the UN RC paid a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan at the State House. The RC presented to His Excellency her delegation of 10 Heads of Agencies. Discussions centered around the need to move away from a siloed approach to development, the devastating impact of COVID-19 in highlighting the vulnerability of small island developing states, and the importance of economic diversification. The capacity of the UN to mobilize knowledge and expertise at national, regional, and global levels was emphasized, as well as its ability to facilitate collaboration and exchange between countries in the region. After the meeting with the President, the UN RC and heads of agencies joined UN technical staff for a rare opportunity to conduct a high-level policy dialogue with cabinet ministers and other senior government officials as well as heads of key institutions. Co-chaired by the UN RC and Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the high-level dialogue was organized as an open and constructive exchange, in order to reflect on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify priority areas of support and cooperation for the next UN-Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF 2024-2028) in parallel with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS). Both sides also agreed to work in synergy as a way forward, for the benefit and improvement of the socio-economic development of the country, post COVID-19 pandemic. Day Three focused on WHAT and HOW the UNCT needed to work together in providing Visionary Leadership that leads to results. The RC in her closing remarks shared how she was grateful for the joint efforts by participants for a successful retreat, as well as underlining the need to think outside of the box and perhaps remove the box totally. The UNCT retreat ended on a high with a cultural evening hosted by Minister Radegonde. UNCT members, government ministers, and other key stakeholders enjoyed the evening in a recently restored creole house and were treated to a culinary feast of Seychellois cuisine. The guests were also entertained by performers playing and dancing the traditional Moutya, which is on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The retreat highlighted the commitment and tireless work of the UN family in Mauritius and Seychelles. Collaboration both inter-agency and with development partners is key. When different parts of the UN system act together, they can deliver greater results!

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18 February 2022

Through the Eyes of the Youth - SDG Photo Competition

How to Participate Take a picture relating to any of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and tell us what it means to you in the context of Mauritius. Indicate which SDG(s) are linked to your photo(s). Write a brief story (less than 150 words) for each photo to explain how your shot is linked to the chosen SDG(s) and why it matters to you and to your country. General Rules Submission deadline is 30 April 2022. Results of the competition will be announced shortly after by the Jury. The contest is open to two age groups: Minors (Ages 12 – 17) Youth (Ages 18 – 25) IMPORTANT: Minors (Aged 12 – 17) eager to participate in the competition will need their parents or guardians to submit on their behalf. Participants must select one or more of the 17 SDG’s. Participants may submit a maximum of two photos per selected SDG. Creativity and/or original thinking will improve your chances to win. Participants must submit original copies of their images. After submitting entries, the photos, with permission from participants, may be used by the United Nations in the future for non-commercial purposes. Participants must include their full name, age and contact information in submissions. Please note that group entries are permitted, but all participants in the group must be of the same age category. Please also ensure that each minor in the group has provided written parental consent to participate. Material Specifications - File type should be in JPEG. File sizes must be more than 5 MB and less than 15 MB per photo. Photos will be accepted in both black/white and colour. Participants are free to express their creativity through editing images as long as their photos remain true to the original. ***Submissions should be sent to the following email address: sdgphotocompetition.mauritius@gmail.com (please use this email template https://bit.ly/3I1lCWE to submit) or via this web interface:https://bit.ly/3Jlhsci Learn more about the SDGs and Agenda 2030 - go to:https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals or https://sdgacademy.org/courses/ Win Prizes Cash Prizes for Minors (Ages 12 – 17) Through SBM Amigos account voucher 1st Prize: MUR 50,000 2nd Prize: MUR 30,000 3rd Prize: MUR 20,000 Cash Prizes for Youth (Ages 18 – 25) Through SBM Savings account voucher 1st Prize: MUR 50,000 2nd Prize: MUR 30,000 3rd Prize: MUR 20,000 Additional Prizes (Top ten for each age category) offered by Rogers Group: An organised visit to Bel-Ombre Biosphere to showcase various SDGs: Visit of the Yellow Submarine (SDG 4, SDG 14, SDG 17) Bis Lamer at CBeach ( DG 4, 14) World of Seashell Visit (SDG14) Giveaway of local produce from Agria (SDG 12) Glass bottom session (SDG14) Rehabilitation of River Jacotet where each student can plant a tree (SDG 15) Visit to Feypalmis (SDG 12) Learn about Photography Basics - We encourage you to use the quality free resources available on the Internet to develop photography skills which will in turn enhance your chances of winning. Irrespective of the technology you will use, applying basic commonly accepted techniques will contribute a lot in taking good photos. The following links are provided as guidance:https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/photo-composition.html or https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules or https://digital-photography-school.com/composition-in-photography/ If your photograph includes images of people please consider the following guidelines - https://bit.ly/3rYhBg5 ***UN staff members (including interns and consultants) and professional photographers are not eligible to participate. Jury Panel members are not eligible to participate. All entries not respecting the theme, or the technical/authorship requirements set out below will not be considered.

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15 February 2022

Island Food Revolution - Reflections from the UN Resident Coordinator

Living and working in Mauritius has led me to appreciate many things about the island. I have enjoyed discovering the close linkages between tourism and food culture. In this beautiful country there is a mix of cultures with roots from Africa, China, India, and Europe; applied to cuisine, this fusion is simply extraordinary. As the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and as a human being, I have seen first-hand the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. I have been involved in many discussions with the UN family, the national counterparts and other partners on how best to promote green recovery. The tourism sector has been particularly affected in many ways, including challenges in global supply chain, especially food supply. Like many small islands, Mauritius depends a lot on food imports so obstacles to the movement of goods during the crisis heavily affected the economy. At the global level, in September 2021 the UN organized the worldwide Food Systems Summit to discuss such issues and many more. It is in this context that the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Mauritian Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security facilitated the National Food Systems Dialogue. During a national dialogue session a participant, Ms. Emmanuelle Coquet, shared her opinion that the COVID-19 crisis could be an eye opener and a trigger for the island’s food revolution! Having supplied the hotels with imported products for over 25 years, Ms. Emmanuelle has seen the quality and variety of available produce from around the world, as well as the demand for such produce from hotel chefs. The question she pondered is, “Can this product not grow in Mauritius?” For most products the answer is yes, we can! So why import and why not produce quality products locally? This question triggered a lot of debate, and the idea of the Island Food Revolution (IFR) was born. "Your weapons are your menus", Ms. Emmanuelle Coquet told the chefs. In simple terms this is a call to source the best of Mauritian produce and to assist local producers to achieve the standards expected by fine hotels and other consumers. From food production to food processing, products once imported can now be produced in Mauritius. Championing local production can only be beneficial for our economy. The needs of the industry will be supported by encouraging producers to move away from the low value chain vegetables and to produce more refined and high value products. Important benefits include moving towards eliminating the carbon footprint; contributing to the improvement of the lives of Mauritian farmers and their families; and encouraging the younger generation to see the importance in farming. Knowing where and who the vegetables and products comes from gives the chef a story to tell. At a recent IFR food tasting event on the beach in the south of the island, different ways of preparing lamb were demonstrated by chefs. The lamb was provided by a breeder from a small village in the west of the island. The famer received praise from the chef on the quality of his lamb. What if the farmer could be trained to cut the meat and sell it at higher value like the pieces we import from abroad? This simple exercise encouraged the farmer and illustrates how the food revolution is achievable in collaboration with the government and other partners. This is a clear demonstration that COVID-19 has pushed people to think outside the box. Revolutionizing food production on the island is a prerequisite for sustainable, equitable and resilient food systems for generations to come.

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17 November 2021

Two East African Cities join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Port Louis (Mauritius) and Nakuru (Kenya) are the first two cities in Eastern Africa to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, in recognition of their commitment to placing culture and creativity at the heart of their development, and to sharing knowledge and good practices. Being among the 49 newly named creative cities, Port Louis in Mauritius joins the Music category, while Nakuru in Kenya joins the Craft and Folklore category. Through the rigorous application process, the UNESCO Regional Office of Eastern Africa supported Mauritius Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in close collaboration with the Mayor of Port Louis, while the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO supported the application for Nakuru in Kenya, together with the Governor of Nakuru and the Civil Society Organizations in the culture sector. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. "I take this opportunity to congratulate the cities of Port Louis and Nakuru for this fitting acknowledgement of their music and craft & folklore sectors respectively. Joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is not only a pledge and commitment to supporting the cultural and creative industries sectors, but also an important recognition of the artists and artisans who have kept their creativity and craftsmanship vibrant. UNESCO stands ready to support these cities as they position culture and the creative economy at the heart of their development plans at the local level, and aim to cooperate actively at the international level." - Prof. Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa The 295 cities that currently make up this network cover seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is not only a platform for reflection on the role of creativity as a lever for sustainable development, but also as a space for action and innovation for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For more information on the Creative Cities Network, see: https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/home

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08 September 2021

Tourism in a pandemic world: tackling plastic pollution

With vaccination programmes underway, many countries are now poised to welcome travellers – and are more than ready to compensate for the recent decline in tourism revenue. Accounting for 10.4 per cent of global GDP and 1 in 10 jobs in 2019, travel and tourism will be critical to job creation and economic growth, as the world recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But while businesses seek to recoup pandemic-related losses and tourists yearn to travel again, there is a caveat. A joint report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) points to the need for coordinated actions, policies and infrastructures to drive the industry toward circularity. Studies show that the world is only 8.6 per cent circular. While this is disappointing, it also means there is huge space for circularity and sustainable consumption and production to bring rapid and extensive gains. Given the potential and challenges of travel and tourism post-COVID-19 – sustainability will be a defining issue. Plastic is a problem. Alongside climate change and biodiversity loss, pollution is part of the triple planetary crisis the world now faces. Every year, humans produce 300 million tonnes of plastic waste, including 11 million tonnes that eventually wind up in the ocean. Ninety-nine per cent of plastic is the product of chemicals derived from dirty, non-renewable sources. Most of it never really disappears. Instead, it becomes smaller, with particles being swallowed by fish or farm animals and eventually consumed by humans in their food and tap water. Nonetheless, plastic continues to grow in popularity, with production increasing by more than 22 times in the last 50 years. By 2050, the plastic industry could account for 20 per cent of the world’s total oil consumption. Plastic pollution could also make up 13 per cent of the total global carbon budget, and there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Add to this the unanticipated impact of COVID-19 – from the volumes of protective equipment the world now uses and discards every day to the interruption of policies asserting the use of single-use plastic products in the first place. It is a perfect – plastic – storm. Travel and tourism can be a catalyst for positive change. The link between plastic and tourism is no coincidence. Single-use plastic products are an efficient and inexpensive way to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards while also ensuring worry-free holiday experiences to guests. But all the little things we take and toss add up. In terms of travel and tourism, a return to “business-as-usual” could produce an increase of 251 per cent in solid waste, through 2050. Given the potential of travel and tourism post-COVID–19 – sustainability will be a defining issue. Moving forward, the sector can be an important entry point for positive change, leveraging the interest in travel and the growing awareness that our actions directly impact human and planetary health. Short-term challenges produce long-term benefits. Photo: Club Paradise Palawan As part of the Transforming Tourism project funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), hotels in the Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Philippines and Saint Lucia are proving that it is possible to develop innovative business models to reduce GHG emissions and improve resource efficiency. Joegil Magtanggol is the Hotel Manager at Club Paradise Palawan in the Philippines – a hotel that also works closely with UNEP to phase out single-use plastic products and raise awareness of the issue among its guests through the Transforming Tourism project campaign, Phasing Out Problematic Single-Use Plastics. Familiar with the challenges of sourcing large quantities of eco-friendly products while also remaining within a limited budget, Magtanggol describes the transition as a series of “small steps.” But these small steps have had a big impact. The hotel now furnishes guests with Australian-sourced food-grade bath amenities in refillable pumps; packages takeaway meals in boxes made from biodegradable materials like cassava starch; sources and purifies its own still and sparkling water and serves it in reusable glass bottles. In addition to eliminating the need to purchase bottled water, the overall reduction in disposable amenities means that there is also less waste – and fewer expenses for its removal from the island. Moreover, adds Magtanggol, while the immediate overhead costs may be greater, “the long-term effect on the protection of the environment is worth every cent.” Protecting travel and tourism means preserving the environment. For Club Paradise Palawan, the water and shores surrounding its location on the Philippine island of Dimakya are among its most valuable assets. By helping to conserve the marine ecosystem, the hotel is also protecting the spectacular coral reef for which the area is renowned – and continues to attract divers from all parts of the world. Dimakya island is within the UNESCO biosphere reserve. So reducing plastic waste is not just idealistic; it’s also pragmatic. “The best way to amplify this unique selling proposition is to ensure the island is kept clean, green and sustainable,” says Magtanggol. And guest experiences stand as evidence. In 2020, a particularly challenging year for tourism, the hotel was awarded as a Sustainable Destination and named Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice: Best of the Best. Together we are stronger. Through the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by UNEP and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, governments, industry and citizens are taking action to reduce plastic pollution and participate in the move towards circularity. This partnership is part of the systemic change sought by the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to support the travel and tourism sector in joining these global efforts. Over 500 institutions and businesses representing over 20 per cent of the plastic packaging used globally and governments from five continents are already delivering on this commitment through concerted actions. Tourism means new adventures, new ideas – and new habits. As travel becomes easier, we must use the opportunity to do better and preserve and restore pristine destinations for the health of people and planet for years to come. Rethinking our habits – particularly our use of single-use plastic products is not a matter of change at one hotel or even in one industry. Instead, it requires the support of every stakeholder, from governments, policymakers, business owners and consumers. For more information, contact UNEP Programme Manager, Helena Rey de Assis: helena.rey@un.org

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Press Release

15 June 2022

First Multi-Sector Policy Dialogue between the Government of Seychelles and the United Nations Country Team

The first Multi-Sector Policy Dialogue between the Government of Seychelles and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), was held on 19 May 2022. The Dialogue was organized as an open and constructive exchange between Seychelles’ Ministers and other representatives from both the Government and the UN, in order to reflect on the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify priority areas of support and cooperation for the next UN-Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF 2024-2028) in parallel with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS). The UN Resident Coordinator expressed the commitment of the United Nations through collective engagement to contribute to Seychelles development aspirations, moving from recovery to sustainable development, with a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The two co-chairs recognised the excellent collaboration that exists between Seychelles and the United Nations, which extends over a broad scope of areas. The delegates exchanged experiences and best practices on possible cooperation on a number of issues of common interest, including the priority areas outlined for the next NDS, namely Transformative Economy, Environment Sustainability, Climate Change, Human Rights, Law and Order, Health, Social Affairs, Education and Culture. Minister Radegonde and the UNRC Umutoni also acknowledged the role that the United Nations can play in advocating for Seychelles’ priorities and vulnerabilities as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). Both sides also agreed to work in synergy as a way forward, for the benefit and improvement of the socio-economic development of the country, post COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Radegonde took the opportunity to reiterate the appreciation of the Government for the continued support of the United Nations Agencies towards Seychelles. The High-Level Policy Dialogue represents one of the key outcomes of the UNCT Annual Retreat being held in Seychelles from 18 to 20 May 2022.

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Press Release

15 June 2022

Winners Announced SDG Youth Photo Competition

15 June 2022 - The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in partnership with Business Mauritius is pleased to announce the winners of their first photograph competition, “Narrating the Sustainable Development Goals through the Eyes of the Youth”. The contest was an opportunity for young people around Mauritius to submit entries that illustrate why the Sustainable Development Goals are important to their lives and to their country. Involvement in arts and culture empowers young people to get their voices heard because artistic endeavours can encourage people to look at challenging issues in a different way, speaking straight to our hearts, and igniting imaginative and innovative solutions. Open from 21 February until 30 April 2022, the contest received over 300 entries from young participants across the Republic of Mauritius. They were reviewed by a committee of 8 judges who selected 3 winners and 7 runner-ups for two age categories minors (12-17) and youth (18-25). The winners for each category are: Rank Minor Category (12-17) Youth Category (18-25) 1 Muhammad Hashim Kheedeer 1 Anoja Luxmi Devi Appadoo 2 Camille Wiehe 2 Luiciano Roussety 3 Cooper Preston 3 Group entry: Ruttun Nadia Bibi Sumayyah Koodoye Jhasvee Luchmiah Divya Davishtee Ramalingum Ramsaran Souvina Sabapathee Jeshinee Bholah Bhavna 4 Camille Wiehe 4 Luiciano Roussety 5 Marie Ange Abbigayle Claite 5 Roushdana Bibi Saniyya Aungnoo 6 William How 6 Luiciano Roussety 7 Sanniah Allyboccus 7 Nathaniel Roland 8 Elodie Affouan 8 Group entry: Teesha Boojhawon Nandinee Nundoo Ritika Teeluck Trisha Balchurn Trishna Balchurn Nekhi Bhoyroo 9 Abdur-Rahmaan Muhammad Bin Nadeem Boodun 9 Mahatma Vidura Sukhari 10 Keshav Teeluckdary 10 Group entry: Teesha Boojhawon Nandinee Nundoo Ritika Teeluck Trisha Balchurn Trishna Balchurn Nekhi Bhoyroo SBM Bank and Rogers Group have kindly provided sponsorship through the donation of generous prizes to the top 10 competition winners for each age category. Cash prizes for winners through the SBM Amigos voucher: 1st – MUR 50,000 2nd – MUR 30,000 3rd – MUR 20,000 Top 10 winners for each age category will receive an organised visit from Rogers Group to Bel-Ombre Biosphere to showcase various SDGs, including the Yellow Submarine (Goals 4, 14 &17), Bis Lamer at CBeach (Goals 4, 14), World of Seashell Visit (SDG 14), giveaway of local produce from Agria (SDG 12), glass bottom session (SDG 14), rehabilitation of River Jacotet where each young person an plant a tree (SDG 15) and visit to Feypalmis (SDG 12).

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Press Release

26 May 2022

Launch of PAGE UNEP-FI and UNIDO Reports

With funding and technical assistance from Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) the reports entitled Greening the SMEs: Improving SME Access to Green Finance in Mauritius; and Industrial Waste Management - Cost Structure Review in Mauritius prepared respectively by UNEP-FI and UNIDO responded to the Mauritian Government’s commitment to transform Mauritius into an environmentally sustainable and inclusive country. Since 2014, to date Partnership for Greeb Economy (PAGE) has worked closely with the Mauritian Government to achieve its national vision which sets a clear path for a transition to an inclusive green economy. The Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives has been an instrumental partner in the completion of the two reports that have been launched today. The UN Resident Coordinator Her Excellency Ms. Christine Umutoni in her address recognized that “Mauritius is setting an example about how to win this fight against climate change,” by looking to scale up green financing and embracing the idea of circular economy in its industrial waste management. She went on to assure the full support of the UN family in supporting the Government of Mauritius in mobilising financial and technical resources to help Mauritius achieve its climate objectives and build resilience. She applauded the model of PAGE where many agencies come together to work on a joint program. This ensures coherence and better efficiency. The Honorable Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives pointed out that both the reports come at an opportune time to address challenges in the global area, which impact two key growth engines of the Mauritian economy, SMEs and manufacturing. The Honorable Minister thanked the UN PAGE partners “for their strong commitment in supporting Mauritius in its endeavor to place sustainability in the centerpiece of its national development goals.” The publication Greening the SMEs: Improving SME Access to Green Finance, by UNEP-FI seeks to assess the level of integration of environmental sustainability in the financing of SMEs in Mauritius. It examines the current state of green finance frameworks, practices and structures relevant to the financial sector and the potential to scale up green financing for the SME sector allowing increased access to green finance opportunities. The second publication by UNIDO: Industrial Waste Management - Cost Structure Review by UNIDO aims to enable an effective industrial solid waste management (SWM) and facilitate the development of a Circular Economy for the enhancement of enterprises´ competitiveness. The activities carried out along the study respond to part of the recommendations of the previous 'Industrial Waste Assessment in Mauritius' report that PAGE produced in 2016-2017, with the collaboration of the then Industry Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Consumer Protection, UNIDO and Business Mauritius. Overall, it recommended to integrate the management of industrial waste (IW) with municipal waste with similar characteristics and to proceed towards the definition of the cost structure and policy gaps in several segments. In continuation with Industrial Waste Assessment UNIDO study, the following sectors were assessed: textile and wearing apparel, chemicals and chemical Products, food products (Poultry, Seafood, Beverages and Bottling sub-sectors), printing and reproduction of recorded media and construction materials. About PAGE PAGE is an inter-agency UN initiative established in 2013, bringing together the expertise of five UN agencies – UNEP, ILO, UNIDO, UNDP and UNITAR, which work closely with national governments to provide a comprehensive and coordinated package of technical assistance, policy support and capacity building services to interested countries to develop, adopt and implement green economy policies and strategies.

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Press Release

15 February 2022

United Nations and Mauritian Government hold a consultative workshop to explore Green Recovery initiatives

Pointe aux Piments: The United Nations and Government of the Republic of Mauritius co-organized a Consultative Workshop on the United Nations / Government Joint Initiatives Towards Green Recovery and Long-Term SDG Planning on Thursday 10 February. The one-day workshop was launched at Le Meridien Hotel by United Nations Resident Coordinator H.E. Ms. Christine N. Umutoni and by the Honourable Maneesh Gobin, Attorney General and Minister for Agro-Industry and Food Security. The workshop was conducted using a hybrid format. There were 50 participants who attended in-person, and over 76 participants joining in virtually from countries world-wide. The Government of the Republic of Mauritius, private sector and civil society organisations were all represented. The participants had the opportunity to take stock of progress towards the implementation of United Nations (UN) and Government joint interventions to deal with the nation’s social and economic recovery challenges posed by the pandemic. The workshop also provided an open forum for discussion around strategies and financing to ‘build back better’ using more inclusive and green approaches to recovery. It is proposed that long-term integrated strategies are necessary to accelerate towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Agenda 2030. Presentations included: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) projects in Mauritius, namely with regards to support provided to the SME and agricultural sectors.[1] UNDP on the progress of the 2020 Socio-Economic Response Plan (SERP) developed to assist the Government to prepare for and protect people from the immediate impacts of the pandemic and plan for recovery. Some key Green Recovery achievements include: analytical work on private sector investment in circular economy; implementation of E-health programme; and tourism recovery planning. UNDESA and UNITAR about the value and importance of long-term strategic planning and the support that the UN system can provide to the government of Mauritius. UNDESA innovative mechanisms for SDG financing through the Integrated National Financing Framework methodology. During her welcoming remarks at the workshop, the Resident Coordinator gave an overview of the global, regional and national context for the United Nations and Government of Mauritius’ collaboration. Commenting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic she stated: “The crisis started as a public health one, and rapidly became a complex economic and social crisis. COVID-19 has highlighted food security issues and created challenges in key economic sectors.” The Honourable Minister Gobin in his address to the participants referred to ongoing impacts of the pandemic and climate change, stating, “Let us shake ourselves and wake up to the new reality.” He emphasised that Green Recovery is not only a climate or environmental matter. It touches on all aspects of our economy and society. As such, if we are to achieve a Green Recovery, an integrated and coherent approach needs to be taken - one that embraces all 17 of the SDGs. The workshop concluded with a pledge from the Honourable Minister Gobin in his role of Minister for Agro-Industry and Food Security for his continued support of the partnership with the UN and their comprehensive approach to green recovery and the SDGs. Media Contact: Janee Connery, Communications Officer | +230 5500-9908 [1] PAGE is an excellent example of the ONE UN approach of UN agencies working together and in partnership with multiple local stakeholders to further Green Initiatives and Recovery in a coherent and inclusive manner. The 5 participating UN agencies in Mauritius are United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITER).

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Press Release

17 September 2021

UNESCO peer exchange shares African experiences in collecting cultural indicators

The hybrid meeting united 26 participants, including the physical participation of 12 representatives from the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage of Mauritius and the National Statistics Office together with 14 online participants from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, and the Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO as well as culture staff from UNESCO field offices in the Africa region and UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The meeting aimed to share guidance from the UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) 2009 Framework for Cultural Statistics, and the UNESCO Culture|2030 indicators framework, while also sharing experiences and lessons learned from Kenya and Zimbabwe, which are already engaged in the process of collecting cultural indicators. Dr. (Mrs.) N. Luckheenarain, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mauritius, provided the opening remarks for the meeting. She announced that the Government of Mauritius plans to establish a dedicated statistics unit to collect cultural indicators and analyze data on the contribution of culture to sustainable development in Mauritius. A video intervention by Dr. (Ms.) Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, provided an introduction and overview of the UNESCO Thematic Indicators for Culture in the 2030 Agenda (Culture|2030 Indicators), which is a framework of thematic indicators whose purpose is to measure and monitor the progress of culture’s enabling contribution to the national and local implementation of the Goals and Targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. Georges Boade, Senior statistical Advisor for the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) based in Dakar, Senegal gave a presentation on the 2009 Framework for Cultural Statistics (FCS), which presents international standards and methodology developed by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics for the measurement of the economic and social impacts of culture. He announced that UIS will launch the process for updating and revising the 2009 Framework through consultations that will start in 2022. Dr. (Mr.) Biggie Samwanda, Director of Arts, Culture Promotion and Development for the Zimbabwean Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, gave a presentation on the long and rich experience of Zimbabwe in collecting cultural indicators, which dates back to 2016 and includes participating in the UNESCO Culture for Development Indicators Suite (CDIS) –the previously used advocacy and policy tool to assess the multidimensional role of culture in development processes through facts and figures (Note: CDIS has since been replaced by the Culture|2030 Indicators). He highlighted the broad consultation undertaken in Zimbabwe in partnership with the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency ZIMSTATS, using a participatory approach to involve a wide range of stakeholders in the development, review and finalization of the country’s process for collecting cultural indicators. For the National Census in 2021, ZIMSTATS will include items on the questionnaire that collect cultural data. Dr. Samwanda also announced that the Zimbabwe Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation is also carrying out a national survey in 2021 to collect more statistical data on the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector. The information collected through the national CCI survey and census, as well as annual meetings of key stakeholders, will also be used to prepare Zimbabwe’s next quadrennial periodic report on implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which in turn informs their national Culture Policy and measures to support the cultural and creative industries sector in Zimbabwe. "I would like to express my thanks to UNESCO for organizing these peer exchanges, which empower us to grow together as we share our various experiences." - Dr. Biggie Samwanda, Director of Arts, Culture Promotion and Development, Zimbabwe Ms. Emily Njeru, Deputy Director of the Culture Programme at the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, shared Kenya’s experience launching the process for collecting cultural indicators, which began in 2018 following Kenya’s participation in a UIS Survey on implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11.4.1. The Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO has been mobilizing national stakeholders including the National Bureau of Statistics, Kenyan Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, Kenyan Film Commission and Copyright Board as well as county governments and civil society organizations to learn about UNESCO best practices and other standards established for the collection of cultural indicators. They also reviewed past studies and data, including evaluating the reliability of available data. The Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO then began focusing on awareness raising and capacity building with the aim of developing a standard tool for the collection of data on the culture sector from local governments. They developed and tested a pilot tool based on the UIS Framework for Cultural Statistics and tested it in a few counties, but they soon realized that more capacity building would be needed to ensure the terms and process were well understood and the data was collected and reported accurately. Through support from a UNESCO Participation Programme grant in 2020, the Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO has been leading a series of capacity building workshops in different counties to train key stakeholders in collecting, analyzing and reporting data on the culture sector in Kenya. Seventy-five participants have been trained to date, with more trainings planned in 2021. Three local experts from NGOs in Kenya were also trained in the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators through an online training in June 2020. The Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO has now established a national team for cultural indicators, which includes some of the trained experts from civil society together with representatives from the National Bureau of Statistics to design a local training programme. "We have been working with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics to harmonize the national statistical classification for productive activities/economic activities with the 2030|Culture indicators with a view to develop a framework for production national cultural statistics." - Ms. Emily Njeru, Deputy Director of the Culture Programme, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO The meeting was closed by Mr. Islam Bhugan, Director of Culture at the Mauritius Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage. He expressed gratitude for the experiences shared by Zimbabwe and Kenya as well as the guidelines from UNESCO, which will inform the methodology Mauritius puts in place for the collection of cultural indicators. For more information, please see: UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators UIS 2009 Framework for Cultural Statistics

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