Launch of UNESCO's IslandWatch Programme

On October 25, 2024, Seychelles became the first country to pilot UNESCO's innovative IslandWatch programme in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Commission. The launch brought together stakeholders from across sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, and the Blue Economy Department and the United Nations.

The ocean and coastline form the backdrop of our daily life and is a source of livelihood for much of the population. Island Watch will leverage on this using a people-centred approach to provide opportunities for youth and adults to engage in meaningful environmental conservation actions. Using this citizen science approach the programme aims to enhance ecosystem monitoring. Digital and technological advances will also be used to gather and manage data. Importantly this initiative aligns with Seychelles' national strategic priorities and the Cooperation Framework for sustainable development underlying the partnership between the UN and Government of Seychelles.

Minister for Education, Justin Valentin, emphasized the importance of using scientifically collected data to inform policy decisions. The IslandWatch programme incorporates lessons learned from the previous award-winning Sandwatch programme, which was first launched by UNESCO in 2001. Sandwatch engaged children, youth, and adults in monitoring and evaluating environmental risks and challenges and designing activities to address them. However IslandWatch will extend its scope beyond coastal ecosystems to encompass biodiversity, freshwater management, and other environmental issues.  

By promoting and enhancing environmental education, ocean literacy, coastal resilience and climate change adaptation the UNESCO IslandWatch Project will contribute to national, regional and global sustainable development.  It will build on the outcomes of the SIDS4 conference that took place in Antigua and Barbuda in May where the focus on strengthening data governance and management was confirmed as a key area for SIDS. Enhancing data collection, protection, and sharing will provide critical steps for evidence- based policymaking and obtaining development financing.

Zulmira Rodrigues, Chief of the SIDS Section at UNESCO stressed the significance of IslandWatch in empowering communities to protect the fragile ecosystems of our island nations that are on the frontline of climate change. She also underlined that the programme intends to strengthen local communities, support national policies and contribute to global efforts to protect the environment.

Addressing the issues of climate change, requires global solutions, including financing and inclusive action at the national level. The launch of IslandWatch in Seychelles is a significant step towards fostering a more sustainable and resilient environment.

Read more about the IslandWatch Programme.