The Tourism Department, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Commonwealth Secretariat, hosted the iCOAST Seychelles Project Preparation Validation Workshop on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at Laila, a Tribute Portfolio Resort.
As part of the Global Environment Facility’s eighth programming cycle (GEF-8), the Integrated Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Tourism (iCOAST) Programme, wich is led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and spans 14 countries, offers Seychelles up to USD 5 million to reduce the environmental footprint of the tourism sector through circular economy models, climate resilience strategies, and nature-based solutions that safeguard the country’s natural assets.
The workshop builds on the momentum of the Inception Meeting held in July 2025, where the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase of the iCOAST Seychelles project was officially launched.
The session brought together key national and international stakeholders to review and validate the draft full proposal under the iCOAST Seychelles project. Organised by the Tourism Department and led by Mr Paul Lebon, Director General for Destination Planning & Development, the workshop marked a major milestone in finalising Seychelles’ five-year sustainable tourism initiative before its submission to the GEF.
It was attended by representatives from government ministries, the tourism industry, civil society organisations, academia, and international partners. Official members present included: Mr Tony Imaduwa, Principal Secretary for Energy and Climate Affairs; Mrs Nannette Laure, Principal Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources; Mr Paul Lebon, Director General for Destination Planning & Development; Ms Yolanda Cachu, UNEP Task Manager; Mr Jiasheng Liu, UNEP Task Manager; Mr Aurelius Nkonde, Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser; Mr Errol Renaud, PPG Project Coordinator; as well as other technical officers from the Tourism Department.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr Imaduwa emphasised the importance of coordinated action in the face of growing environmental pressures and climate change impacts on the tourism sector. The proposed project aims to strengthen sustainability across the industry through the adoption of circular economy practices, ecosystem protection, support for local supply chains, greater access to green finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and community actors, and policy and institutional reforms. These actions align with the country’s newly endorsed Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (SSTPF) 2025–2035, which sets a clear direction for a value-driven, inclusive, and environmentally responsible tourism sector.
During the session, UNEP Task Manager Ms Yolanda Cachu delivered an overview of the iCOAST Programme. Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser Mr Aurelius Nkonde presented a recap of the Seychelles project’s objectives and alignment with national climate priorities, while PPG Project Coordinator Mr Errol Renaud provided an in-depth explanation of the project components, proposed outputs, budget structure, and implementation arrangements.
UNEP also provided guidance on GEF co-financing requirements and encouraged stakeholders to continue identifying complementary initiatives that could enhance the project’s long-term sustainability and impact.
In closing, Mr Paul Lebon thanked participants for their strong engagement and constructive inputs, stating that their contributions were essential in strengthening the proposal for submission. He noted that the success of the project over the next five years will depend on continued partnership, collaboration, and shared responsibility. He also reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to remaining a global leader in sustainable tourism and a model for other island states.
Following the validation workshop, the Tourism Department will continue working closely with UNEP, the Commonwealth Secretariat, national stakeholders, and the PPG coordination team to refine the project document ahead of its submission to the GEF Secretariat for CEO endorsement
