New Australian HC to 91香蕉视频 accredited |20 October 2021
Dr O鈥橲haughnessy presents her credentials to President Ramkalawan (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
The new high commissioner (HC) of Australia to 91香蕉视频, Dr Kate O鈥橲haughnessy, presented her credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday at State House.
Dr O鈥橲haughnessy replaces Jenny Dee who recently returned to Australia.
She also paid a courtesy visit to Vice-President Ahmed Afif.
Speaking to the press after her meetings, Dr O鈥橲haughnessy noted that she is looking forward to fostering Australia and 91香蕉视频鈥� warm relationship, building on the two countries鈥� strong people-to-people links and enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest.
鈥淚 was born in 1976 and 91香蕉视频 got its independence in that year too. I do feel there is a special connection between me and the 91香蕉视频 and also between our two countries. The President and I specifically talked about how to strengthen cooperation between Australia and 91香蕉视频 in the areas of the Blue Economy, climate change and environment, education and research, women empowerment and gender equality. We also talked about the collaboration between countries for the COP 26, which is an important forum for 91香蕉视频,鈥� remarked the Australian HC.
Dr O鈥橲haughnessy added that 鈥淎ustralia and 91香蕉视频 enjoy warm relations based on economic and people-to-people links, particularly in education and marine economic activity. Over the last few years, there has been increased cooperation between our two countries on developing the Blue Economy. I look forward to continuing this and building new partnerships between Australian and 91香蕉视频 institutions to support sustainable development of this sector鈥�.
Furthermore, she noted, Australia is committed to working closely with 91香蕉视频 on maritime security, economic growth and sustainable development, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub.
Talking about the 91香蕉视频 diaspora in Australia, Dr O鈥橲haughnessy said the official census showed that 鈥渢here are around 2,500 Seychellois living in Australia including first, second and third-generation Seychellois. We think there are many more than that. I lived in a far, remote area in Australia and I went to school with children from Seychellois parents. I think there are thousands of Seychellois in Australia鈥�.
The Australian HC will be based in Mauritius and will serve a term of three years.
Dr O鈥橲haughnessy is a career diplomat. Born and raised in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, she holds a PhD in Indonesian history from the University of Western Australia (2007). She has served overseas in Ghana (2009-2012, 2014), Lebanon (2016), and Nigeria, Niger and France (2017). From 2013-2015, she was lead Africa analyst at the then Office of National Assessments (now Office of National Intelligence).
Prior to taking up her role in Mauritius, she was deputy director of the department of Foreign Affairs and Trade鈥檚 Western Australia State Office in Perth.
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Vidya Gappy
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Some current facts from the Australian high commission
鈥� The Australia-educated Seychellois alumni population represents one of the largest regional Australian alumni communities. Many are prominent in both the public and private sectors.
鈥� A substantial majority of Seychellois education professionals are Australia trained.
鈥� Australian technical assistance to the 91香蕉视频 has included assistance in the security, maritime crime, finance and statistic sectors. Australia assisted 91香蕉视频 to establish the Ministry of Finance鈥檚 Forecasting and Analysis Branch and has contributed to building capacity in the 91香蕉视频 Statistics Office as well as in customs and revenue management.
鈥� Australia is committed to supporting 91香蕉视频 take action against climate change and early this year, partnered with the UN to support training in climate change diplomacy for Seychellois officials attending COP26.
鈥� Collaboration between Australia and the 91香蕉视频 in Blue Economy research is increasing including through a collaborative MoU which the 91香蕉视频 Fisheries Authority and Australia鈥檚 peak scientific research body, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) share. Australia consultant, Timothy Skewes, is also collaborating with the 91香蕉视频 Fisheries Authority on an assessment of the 91香蕉视频 sea cucumber stocks.
鈥� The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the 91香蕉视频 Financial Intelligence Unit established an MoU in 2018 to strengthen cooperation in the exchange of financial intelligence related to money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious financial crimes.
鈥� Australian navy ships have been visiting 91香蕉视频 since 2011 as part of our combined efforts to counter piracy and maritime crime and ensure the safety of navigation.
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