The Designated Minister and Minister for Local Governnment and Home Affairs, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, head of Seychelles delegation at the 39^th session of the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) addressed the General Conference on Wednesday 1 November during the General Policy Debate session. 

The delegation from Seychelles included the Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, Ambassador for Seychelles in Paris and Permanent Delegate at Unesco, Mr Sylvestre Radegone, Dr. Marie-Reine Hoareau, Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General, Mrs Vicky Gendron and Principal Secretary for Culture, Ms Cecile Kalebi from the Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO.

In her speech, the Head of the delegation thanked on behalf of the government of Seychelles, the outgoing Director General, Mrs Irina Bokova for her steadfast leadership of the Organisation. 

Minister Mondon stated that Seychelles is more than ever committed to providing meaningful education and training opportunities for the diversity of learners in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 by maintaining a high level of access and participation from Early Childhood to beyond secondary. She added that with the assistance of IBE UNESCO, Seychelles is investing in the integration of Competency Based Approach (CBA) and the strengthening of digital competences in teaching and learning.

The Head of the delegation also emphasised Seychelles' aim as an Island State to provide economic diversification, food security and a healthy ocean for its people in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 14. 

Minister Mondon also expressed the necessity to collect cultural indicators to demonstrate the impact of culture on economic and sustainable development our country. She stated that the new Culture Policy upholds the notion that all can enjoy, learn, preserve and protect the Seychellois Culture in all its diversity.

She considered the theme of the 10^th Youth Forum Rethinking of youth engagement with UNESCO for the 39^th General Conference most fitting as youth should be actively engaged in the economic developement of the country.

She called on the Organization to ensure that the needs of SIDS (Small Island development States) receive continued and increased attention. She stated that Seychelles was honoured to have been selected as the Regional Hub for the Early Childhood and Care Education (ECCE) for the General Education Quality Assessment Framework) GEQAF Countries. She also expressed her gratitude to UNESCO for its support in all projects for the different sectors.

During this General Conference UNESCO welcomed New Caledonia as UNESCO’s new Associate Member.