6TH INDIAN OCEAN CONFERENCE, 12-13th MAY, DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Intervention by Minister Charles E. Fonseka
I am deeply honoured to participate in the 6th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference. I also join the others in thanking our gracious host, the Government and the people of Bangladesh for the warm welcome since our arrival in your beautiful country.
This momentous occasion serves as testament to our collective dedication to warrant regional coordination, stability, and development. In these turbulent times, when the world grapples with unprecedented challenges and non-traditional security threats, our region stands as a beacon of hope amidst the storm. The theme for this year's conference, "Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership for a Resilient Future," resonates deeply within us, guiding our deliberations toward practical solutions that will shape the destiny of our region.
Colleagues, today we have a rare opportunity, a clarion call, to champion peace and stability in the Indian Ocean and beyond. We must confront the harsh realities of conflict and instability, for they are the fertile breeding grounds that nurture nefarious activities and perpetuate a sense of insecurity. We cannot afford to remain passive spectators as the consequences of instability spill over into our lives, tarnishing the fabric of our societies. Take, for instance, the insidious trafficking of narcotics that plagues the Indian Ocean. Within a mere decade, our once pristine waters have transformed into a highway for the trade in illicit goods, a conduit of destruction that ravages our nations and compromises our very foundations.
Let me illuminate the gravity of this situation. In the small nation of Seychelles, with its modest population of one hundred thousand, we find ourselves shackled by the devastating grip of heroin addiction. Astonishingly, a staggering 10% of our people now bear the heavy burden of this affliction. The implications of such a calamity extend far beyond the individual, impacting the security, stability, and well-being of our entire region. Our workforce, our economic prowess, and the promise of a prosperous future all hang in the balance. We cannot allow this scourge to continue unabated.
Seychelles, though endowed with limited resources, has shown unwavering determination in the face of adversity. Through joint patrols with our regional partners, we have bolstered our maritime domain awareness, fortifying our ability to counter these criminal enterprises. We have strived to strengthen the pillars of law enforcement and judicial cooperation. Yet, my esteemed colleagues, let us be resolute in our understanding that these measures alone are not enough. We demand a united front, a symphony of coordinated efforts, with information sharing as its harmonious refrain. Together, as a region, in unison with international organizations and agencies, we must pre-empt and dismantle these nefarious drug trafficking networks.
But let us not focus solely on the perils of narcotics. The challenge of combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) looms large over our heads, casting a shadow upon the sustainable management of our marine resources and the livelihoods of our coastal communities. In this regard, Seychelles acknowledges the pivotal role played by existing regional and international frameworks and agreements on fisheries management, such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). We have embarked upon a national plan of action, bolstering our monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities. We have engaged civil society and the private sector, recognizing the significance of their involvement in combating IUU fishing. Furthermore, we have joined the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.
However, The need for further cooperation is indispensable. We must elevate our collective capacity and awareness in the realm of IUU and we must also recognize that the success of our efforts to address the challenges facing our region requires a strong and unwavering commitment from all of us.
Additionally, it is imperative that we acknowledge another critical issue that plagues our region - human trafficking. This heinous crime preys on the most vulnerable among us, robbing individuals of their dignity and humanity. It is an affront to our shared values of freedom and justice, and we cannot turn a blind eye to its existence.
The Indian Ocean region, with its vast and porous borders, is a prime target for human traffickers. Trafficking victims are often smuggled across borders, exploited for labour or sex, and subjected to unspeakable horrors. This is a challenge that must be addressed through collaborative efforts among all of our nations. We need to strengthen our border control measures, improve law enforcement capabilities, and enhance cooperation among our countries to combat this issue effectively.
My Dear Colleagues,
To achieve our shared goals, we need to focus on building trust, enhancing dialogue, and promoting cooperation among our countries. We must work towards a more integrated and connected region, where trade and investment can flourish, and where people can move freely, whether for business or leisure.
In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the organisers of this important conference and for providing us with this valuable opportunity to exchange views and ideas on how to address the challenges and opportunities facing our region. Let us continue to work together with a shared vision and purpose so that we can create a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful Indian Ocean region for ourselves and for future generations.
I Thank you all.