PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Mauritius: Indian Ocean Commission moves to guarantee its future
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Indian Ocean Heads of State and of Government, meeting at the fourth Summit of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in Moroni, Comoros, on Saturday adopted a Declaration that paints a picture of the challenges regarding development in the region.
The declaration also fixes the orientations for a collective response to matters relating to connectivity, maritime and food security, management of natural resources and the potential of the blue economy,
In a communiqué issued at the end of the Summit, copy of which was obtained by PANA here, the Summit said the Heads of State and of Government of the IOC are aware of the high vulnerability of the islands of the region and of its impact on their development.
They associate themselves fully to the global mobilization in favour of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) that will culminate in the UN Conference of Samoa in September 2014.
According to the Summit, the UN Conference in Samoa should, without ambiguity, take a message on the struggle against climate change so as to contribute to the adoption of an ambitious and applicable agreement for all at the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Conventions for Climate Change that will take place in Paris in December 2015.
"This agreement should allow for the limitation of a rise in world temperature below 2 degrees C regarding preindustrial levels and should deal the greenhouse gas emissions and the adaptation to climate change in a balance way,” they said.
They renewed their engagement to promote the long-term interest of the Indian Ocean islands regarding sustainable development, tourism, innovation, conservation and management of marine and fish resources, promotion of the concept of blue and ocean economy to create jobs and growth that needs also a secure maritime environment.
In this respect, the Heads of State and Government of the IOC underlined the importance of a global vision for maritime security.
"They appreciated the results obtained by the Anti-piracy Unit of the IOC based in Seychelles and underlined the need to consolidate the aggressive plan to struggle against maritime piracy as well as against the whole lot of illegal and criminal traffics," they said in the communiqué.
The Summit recalled the prime role of political stability and democratic governance, being aware that crimes originate from crises that affect the States.
They rejoiced at the institutional return to normal and reiterated the engagement of all the States and of the IOC towards the Malagasy authorities in a bid to contribute to an early and sustainable development of Madagascar.
"The economic resumption in Madagascar will rest mainly on the project of food security in the Indian Ocean as planned by the IOC and that will give effect to the role of this island as a granary of the Indian Ocean," they highlighted.
The leader renewed their confidence in the IOC to give impetus to projects and a collective consciousness favourable to the successful insertion of women and youth in the social, professional and political tissues of the IOC countries.
They called for a better consideration of vulnerable populations, particularly children and old people, as well as renewed mobilisation against epidemics and emerging diseases.
They also confirmed the importance for the IOC countries to improve the global connectivity in the region, be it maritime that is crucial for trade, air links crucial for tourism and business or digital that is important for enterprises, investment and technology transfer.
The Presidents of France, Seychelles and Comoros, respectively François Hollande, James Michel and Ikililou Dhoinine, as well as Mauritian Primer Navin Ramgoolam attended the Summit, chaired by the President of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
-0- PANA NA/IS/SOC/NA/VAO 24Aug2014
The declaration also fixes the orientations for a collective response to matters relating to connectivity, maritime and food security, management of natural resources and the potential of the blue economy,
In a communiqué issued at the end of the Summit, copy of which was obtained by PANA here, the Summit said the Heads of State and of Government of the IOC are aware of the high vulnerability of the islands of the region and of its impact on their development.
They associate themselves fully to the global mobilization in favour of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) that will culminate in the UN Conference of Samoa in September 2014.
According to the Summit, the UN Conference in Samoa should, without ambiguity, take a message on the struggle against climate change so as to contribute to the adoption of an ambitious and applicable agreement for all at the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Conventions for Climate Change that will take place in Paris in December 2015.
"This agreement should allow for the limitation of a rise in world temperature below 2 degrees C regarding preindustrial levels and should deal the greenhouse gas emissions and the adaptation to climate change in a balance way,” they said.
They renewed their engagement to promote the long-term interest of the Indian Ocean islands regarding sustainable development, tourism, innovation, conservation and management of marine and fish resources, promotion of the concept of blue and ocean economy to create jobs and growth that needs also a secure maritime environment.
In this respect, the Heads of State and Government of the IOC underlined the importance of a global vision for maritime security.
"They appreciated the results obtained by the Anti-piracy Unit of the IOC based in Seychelles and underlined the need to consolidate the aggressive plan to struggle against maritime piracy as well as against the whole lot of illegal and criminal traffics," they said in the communiqué.
The Summit recalled the prime role of political stability and democratic governance, being aware that crimes originate from crises that affect the States.
They rejoiced at the institutional return to normal and reiterated the engagement of all the States and of the IOC towards the Malagasy authorities in a bid to contribute to an early and sustainable development of Madagascar.
"The economic resumption in Madagascar will rest mainly on the project of food security in the Indian Ocean as planned by the IOC and that will give effect to the role of this island as a granary of the Indian Ocean," they highlighted.
The leader renewed their confidence in the IOC to give impetus to projects and a collective consciousness favourable to the successful insertion of women and youth in the social, professional and political tissues of the IOC countries.
They called for a better consideration of vulnerable populations, particularly children and old people, as well as renewed mobilisation against epidemics and emerging diseases.
They also confirmed the importance for the IOC countries to improve the global connectivity in the region, be it maritime that is crucial for trade, air links crucial for tourism and business or digital that is important for enterprises, investment and technology transfer.
The Presidents of France, Seychelles and Comoros, respectively François Hollande, James Michel and Ikililou Dhoinine, as well as Mauritian Primer Navin Ramgoolam attended the Summit, chaired by the President of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
-0- PANA NA/IS/SOC/NA/VAO 24Aug2014
