Antananarivo, 24 April 2025 – The President of the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, addressed the Fifth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) on Thursday morning, marking his first participation in this high-level regional forum. The summit is being held in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar.
This year’s summit, held under the theme “Food Security and Sovereignty for the Development of the Indian Ocean Market,” was officially opened by Comorian President Azali Assoumani, the current Chair of the IOC, who co-chaired the event alongside his Malagasy counterpart, President Andry Rajoelina. The opening ceremony brought together other Heads of State and Government from the IOC member countries, and marks the start of several high-level sessions.
In his address, President Ramkalawan welcomed the opportunity to convene in Madagascar, highlighting the longstanding historical ties between Seychelles and Madagascar, and the shared commitment to advancing regional integration:
“I sincerely thank the Malagasy Government, and in particular President Andry Rajoelina, for the warm welcome extended to our delegations and for the favorable conditions provided for the smooth organization of this Summit,” he said.
The President went on to address the various aspects of food security challenges facing the region:
“Our countries, heavily dependent on food imports, are affected by a costly logistics system, in which transportation expenses can account for up to 40% of the final price of consumed goods,” he noted.
He emphasized Madagascar’s strategic role in unlocking the potential of regional agricultural resources and in building a sustainable food market, stating:
“The development of regional agricultural resources, particularly the production potential of Madagascar—which holds more than 90% of the IOC’s arable land—represents a strategic opportunity.”
President Ramkalawan also reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to contributing to a resilient development model tailored to the realities of small island states, rooted in a sustainable and integrated blue economy:
“This model must be based on an integrated approach to the blue economy, structured around maritime security, ocean governance, scientific knowledge, and the preservation of the marine environment.”
He concluded with a call for collective action, stressing that IOC member states already have the tools at their disposal to build a more united and inclusive future:
“This is no longer just about planning, but about acting together. The Indian Ocean identity is more than a concept—it is a reality we must build.”
President Ramkalawan expressed his hope that the summit would lead to concrete and lasting commitments in support of a more resilient, self-reliant, and united Indian Ocean region.
Source: statehouse
