President Wavel Ramkalawan to return to Seychelles following UNGA

Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan returns to the islands after speaking at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

In his speech, President Ramkalawan stressed the dangers and difficulties facing the developing world from climate change, food and energy crises, COVID-19, and economic inequality. He pushed for more collective action to ensure developing nations are able to better pursue sustainable growth.

The Seychelles, a small island nation off the coast of Africa, is particularly vulnerable to climate and economic problems. The nation relies on foreign investments to move beyond its tourism and blue economic base. However, despite the major role affluent nations and large corporations play in causing climate change, they have done little to aid developing countries.

While the UN has answered President Ramkalawan’s calls for action on the food crisis, expect little on the energy or climate fronts. Global oil supplies are limited and controlled by a few companies, meaning there is nothing the UN can do to increase supply short-term. Long-term, the global south faces serious risks due to climate change as polluters are slow to institute solutions or provide aid. In the meantime, expect the UN to push for climate resilience investment in developing countries instead.