Seychelles prepared to achieve Early Warnings for All (EW4All) target by 2027

Seychelles is now ready to achieve the target established by the United Nations Secretary General Mr. António Guterres with the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) – a global initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027.

The Seychelles Meteorological Authority (SMA), with the support of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and in coordination with its national counterparts – the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) and the Seychelles Communications Regulator Authority (SCRA), and the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) – organized the National Validation Workshop on Early Warning for All (EW4All) Seychelles on 23 January 2025 at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa Hotel. The event counted with the presence of Mr. Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, and Mr. Enroll Fonseka, Minister of Internal Affairs, and other high-level officials. A highly turnout with over 70 representatives of national stakeholders participated in this event with the objective to jointly endorse and launch a comprehensive National EW4All Roadmap and Action Plan aimed at enhancing Early Warning Systems, enabling critical actions by the different stakeholders across the Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) value cycle. An EW4All Coordination Committee was established to drive and oversee the implementation of the EW4All Roadmap and Action Plan, which will be chaired by the national counterparts (SMA, DRMD, DICT/SCRA and RCSS) in a rotational approach; being Mr. Vincent Amelie, the CEO of SMA, the initial appointed Chair.

The workshop initiated with a powerful message from the WMO Secretary General Professor Celeste Saulo, who recalled that for small island nations like Seychelles, the effects of climate change are becoming all too evident. In recent years, Seychelles faced several hazardous events that highlighted its vulnerability. These events serve as stark reminders of the need for robust people centered, multi-hazard early warning systems that can save lives, reduce economic loss, and enhance the country’s resilience to future climate shocks. Professor Saulo highlighted the importance of having the EW4All Roadmap and Action Plan ready as “this Roadmap is not just a guiding document for the Seychelles government alone—it must serve as a tool for coordination across all sectors. It should be used by all to guide planning, investment, funding, action, and monitoring. This is a collective effort, and we all have a role to play. From the government to the private sector, from civil society to local communities—each one of us has an important part in ensuring the success of this initiative.” Professor Saulo strongly believes that Seychelles is an example to showcase not just in the region, but globally; and “reassured that WMO remains fully committed to providing the continued support and assistance needed for the successful implementation of the Roadmap and Action Plan”.

Mr. Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, highlighted that “today’s event could not have come at a more opportune time when we are all trying to find solutions to address weather and climate related issues that are having major impacts around the world, threatening sustainable development, thus the very survival of mankind”. Mr. Joubert noted that this is particularly relevant for Seychelles as weather is getting hotter and heavy precipitation and flooding events are becoming more devastating and repetitive, costing people their businesses, their homes, and impacting the economy. “It is therefore imperative that we step up on what we are already doing to address the emerging challenges of climate change and sea level rise” – stressed Mr. Joubert. Despite the country’s efforts, there are still many more actions to be engaged in as those identified and included in the Seychelles EW4All gap analysis and action plan. “Let us make this plan one of the most ambitious and comprehensive initiatives ever launched to save lives and protect livelihoods, and build a more resilient Seychelles” – emphasized Mr Joubert. The Minister is therefore confident that the plan will get the support of the Cabinet.