OPENING REMARKS BY MINISTER CHARLES FONSEKA, MINISTER FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR THE REGIONAL FORUM ON MIGRATION AND MARITIME SECURITY IN SEYCHELLES,
MONDAY 03RD JULY 2023 AT THE BERJAYA BEAU VALLON BAY RESORT.
It is a real pleasure for me to be joining you here today, on the occasion of the opening of the Regional Forum on Migration and Maritime Security, generally aimed to assess human mobility in the maritime context within the Indian Ocean.
Please allow me, on behalf of the “Government of Seychelles, to extend a warm Seychellois welcome to all delegates, especially those coming from member countries of the Indian Ocean Commission and East Africa as well as the representatives of the various regional and international organisations.
We hope that you have an enjoyable stay with us.
Over the past few years the prevalence of illicit activities within our region’s maritime space has provided much cause for concern, as evidenced by an upsurge in the number of seizures of vessels involved in narcotics and illegal fishing related incidents.
Moreover, migration has impacted our nations in multifaceted ways. It is imperative that we embrace dialogue and cooperation on migration-related issues. Building upon the foundation laid by Seychelles and the Indian Ocean Commission's Migration Dialogue for IOC Countries (MiDIOCC), we gather here today to strengthen regional collaboration, policy coordination, and the governance of migration for the collective benefit of our people.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has actively engaged with member states at the regional and national levels, focusing on strengthening mechanisms and institutional frameworks for border and maritime security.
Through consultations, capacity development initiatives, policy support, and technical assistance, the IOM has worked tirelessly to enhance regional intelligence capacity and information sharing, particularly in combating transnational organized crimes like smuggling and trafficking in persons. Seychelles has also demonstrated its commitment to eliminating trafficking in persons, earning recognition in the United States' 23rd annual Trafficking in Persons Report, where it was upgraded to the Tier 1 level.
Maritime security remains a key priority for IOC member states. The challenges posed by piracy in the Western Indian Ocean region have necessitated robust responses to protect merchant shipping traffic, ensure trade, enhance safety at sea, and uphold political and social stability. In October 2010, the European Union and Eastern and Southern African and Indian Ocean states agreed upon the Strategy and Action Plan, leading to the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security (MASE) Program in partnership with the Indian Ocean Commission. This comprehensive program addresses all maritime risks and threats in the Western Indian Ocean, facilitated by agreements such as the Regional Maritime Security Agreements, and the establishment of the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC), and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC). While substantial progress has been made in coordinating regional actions and sharing maritime information, more concerted efforts are needed to enhance collaboration and information sharing as we now face non-traditional security threats, with human smuggling and the narcotics trade being the number one culprits.
In this forum, we have the privilege of hosting esteemed representatives from Comoros, Djibouti, France/Reunion, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tanzania - united by a common goal to ensure the safety and security of our seas and to facilitate orderly, safe, and regular migration within our region.
Together, we embark on a journey to assess the current situation and perspectives on human mobility in the maritime context, identifying threats, challenges, and opportunities that demand our collective resolve. Our aim is to strengthen regional collaborative approaches in addressing maritime security threats, including irregular migration, human trafficking, and the smuggling of migrants. By enhancing our regional capacities for data collection and analysis, we can effectively monitor migration flows, routes, and trends.
As we delve into these discussions, let us seize this moment to chart a course towards a safer, more secure, and prosperous future for our region.
May this forum serve as a catalyst for action, and may the bonds we forge here today stand as a testament to the power of unity in the face of shared challenges. Together, let us navigate the tides of change, guided by the principles of cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect.
I extend to you all my bet wishes of success in your deliberations.
Thank you.