(Seychelles News Agency) - Climate change, the Blue Economy and poverty reduction are three important issues for Seychelles' foreign policy interactions, said the island nation's ambassador to France.  

Ambassador Sylvestre Radegonde made this statement on Wednesday after the 10 ambassadors representing Seychelles around the world met with President Danny Faure at State House.

“It is a key priority for ambassadors find ways to reduce the level of poverty at least to 10 percent by the year 2020,” Radegonde told journalists. 

The meeting was also an opportunity for the ambassadors and Faure to discuss the action and adjustments to be taken at their embassies.

“The President as the head of state is also responsible for foreign affairs. As his representatives and representatives of Seychelles, it is important that when we are here, we take this occasion to meet with him to discuss on areas of adjustments and action that he would like us to focus on in our job,” said Radegonde.

He added that “it was also a moment to share with the president the activities that we are undertaking in our embassies.” 

Two other important points touched upon during the meeting were the issues of climate change and the Blue Economy.

The meeting with Faure was organised as part of the Seychelles Diplomatic Convention, which started on Monday and brings together honorary consuls and ambassadors representing Seychelles around the world.

There are 55 honorary consuls and 10 ambassadors of Seychelles attending the convention which is a platform where Seychellois diplomats can discuss and be brought up to date about developments that have taken place within the Foreign Affairs department

“Traditionally honorary consuls and ambassadors meet in Seychelles every two years. This time around we have changed the model -- the way it is being done. The change in the model has been very useful and the Department of Foreign Affairs made us start the convention by attaching each one of us with a district for a day,” said the ambassador to France.

Radegonde who chose the district of Baie Lazare in the south of Mahe, the main island, said that an ambassador has an important role to play at district level also.

“It was an occasion for each one of us to go back on site to see the real situation. I had the pleasure to meet with some fishermen and farmers to understand their challenges and how I can help if they want to undertake small projects.”