Welcoming the Vice-President to UNESCO, the Director-General highlighted the importance of World Oceans Day in the framework of the preparations for the post-2015 development agenda, COP21 and Financing for Development Conference later this year.

The Director-General expressed her satisfaction with the emerging Ocean-related goal in the Sustainable Development Agenda currently under negotiation and the leadership of Small Island Developing States, including the Seychelles, to promote it.

“The concept of Blue Economy – or even better Blue Horizon – will require active and dedicated participation of all stakeholders and UNESCO ‘s unique multidisciplinary mandate is of particularly relevance in this context”, declared Irina Bokova. She commended Seychelles’ transition to the blue economy and highlighted UNESCO’s readiness to continue working with the Seychelles in this regard.

The Director-General highlighted that it is very encouraging to see the accomplishments in the Seychelles, stressing in particular that it is the only country in Africa which has achieved all the EFA goals. She added in this regard that the last World Education Forum, held in Incheon, adopted 9 years of compulsory education, while the Seychelles is now going beyond. The Vice-President highlighted the importance for all children to have access to education, including education for sustainable development. He expressed gratitude for UNESCO’s support in developing the Seychelles education system and informed the Director-General that a few days ago, the President of Seychelles extended compulsory education to 11 years. The law will pass in July 2015 and be effective in 2016.