Seychelles Calls on Developed Nations to Honour Climate Obligations at SIDS Forum

Foreign Minister Faure champions innovative debt-for-nature financing and ICJ climate advisory opinion as Seychelles pushes to centre small island states in global decision-making

Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Barry Faure, has delivered a forceful statement at the Small Island Developing States Forum convened under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, calling for SIDS to be placed firmly at the centre of the global climate and development agenda and urging wealthy nations to fulfil their financial and technical commitments to vulnerable countries.

The forum brought together SIDS from across the OACPS grouping to align on shared priorities and build a common position ahead of the broader Summit of Heads of State and Government — a platform Minister Faure described as vital for amplifying voices that risk being marginalised in global negotiations.

Repositioning SIDS Within the OACPS

Commending the OACPS for its leadership on issues critical to small island states, Minister Faure nonetheless urged the organisation to sharpen its focus on the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS as it continues to evolve. He framed the current moment of institutional renewal as a strategic opening.

“The renewal of the OACPS presents a timely opportunity to reposition SIDS at the centre of our collective action,” he said, reaffirming Seychelles’ commitment to working with all partners toward a resilient, just, and sustainable future for small island developing states.

ICJ Advisory Opinion and the Call for Legal Accountability

Minister Faure highlighted Seychelles’ active role in the initiative seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on states’ obligations with respect to climate change — a landmark legal effort to anchor climate action in international law. He welcomed the clarity the opinion provides, noting that it reinforces obligations already established under the Paris Agreement and strengthens the case for holding developed countries accountable for their commitments.

His call on wealthy nations to deliver adequate financial and technical support to vulnerable states was direct — framing it not as a matter of generosity but of legal and moral obligation.

Debt-for-Nature Swap Recognised as Model for Innovative Financing

The forum recognised Seychelles’ Debt for Nature Swap as an innovative financing mechanism worthy of broader attention, alongside Barbados’ experience with Debt for Climate and Debt for Climate Resilience instruments. The recognition positions Seychelles as a pioneer in developing creative financial tools that allow small island states to redirect debt obligations toward environmental and climate resilience investments — a model with significant potential for replication across the SIDS community.

Youth Forum and a Rapporteur Role

The Seychelles delegation also participated in the OACPS Youth Forum, held under the theme “OACPS Youth Compact: Jobs, Resilience, Action,” which convened youth representatives, policymakers, and partners to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities facing young people across the grouping. Minister Faure was appointed Rapporteur for the Youth Forum, a role that will see him present the forum’s key outcomes and recommendations directly to the Summit of Heads of State and Government — ensuring that youth voices feed into the highest level of OACPS decision-making.