19 May 2022, Victoria, Seychelles – The First Multi-Sector Policy Dialogue between the Government of Seychelles and the United Nations Country Team provided space for discussing areas of focus for the UN’s support for the implementation of national development strategies and SDGs, as well as the areas of focus for the next Strategic Partnership Framework. On this occasion, UNITAR’s representative had an opportunity to present to the Ministers of the Seychellois Government and UN Regional and Country Directors UNDESA-UNITAR’s analytical paper illustrating the use of system thinking and how it can be used to bridge long-term priorities and immediate needs as part of an integrated planning approach.

As a member of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Seychelles is on the front line of climate change. The Covid-19 pandemic both highlighted and amplified SIDS’ vulnerabilities. Addressing these complex challenges through strategic planning, capacity-building, and partnership through the prism of sustainability is a priority for the island.

The Policy Dialogue has been preceded by the meeting between the President of Seychelles Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan and UN Regional and Country Directors. It included statements from the participating Ministers led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde and Minister of Finance, National Planning and Trade Mr. Ronald Cafrine, and joint statements by UN Directors and Heads coming from a number of UN agencies such as FAO, ILO, IOM, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNESCO, UNEP, UNFPA, UN Women, and WHO. The UNCT’s participation in the Policy Dialogue was led by UN Resident Coordinator for Seychelles and Mauritius Ms. Christine Umutoni. 

Ms. Elena Proden, the Senior Specialist from UNITAR, was privileged to participate in this enriching dialogue and, on behalf of UNITAR and the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA DPIDG), communicate the findings of an analysis covering integrated planning and the SDGs.

Using systems thinking methodology, experts working on the UNDESA-UNITAR approach contributed to the development of an example of a system map for Seychelles drawing attention to relevant key sectors and helping identify leverage points to enable the country to promote transformative growth towards its vision of a blue economy, sustainability, inclusiveness, and resilience to better face future crises.