AGP Executive Report

Presidency: State House says President Patrick Herminie is stable and undergoing tests after being admitted to Seychelles Hospital for observation. He thanked the public for its support and urged people to follow official updates. Ocean Governance: At the Nairobi Convention’s COP12, Environment Minister Marie May Jeremie reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to regional cooperation, marine protection and sustainable ocean-based livelihoods. Heritage: First Lady Véronique Herminie said Seychelles would welcome Russian expertise in preserving cultural and natural heritage, highlighting Mission Lodge as a site in need of support. Travel Rules: Seychelles has tightened entry requirements amid the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: foreign nationals who have visited the DRC must spend at least 21 days outside the country before travelling to Seychelles. Authorities have reported no confirmed cases in Seychelles.

Presidential Health: President Patrick Herminie has been admitted to Seychelles Hospital for observation. State House says his condition is stable and further tests are underway, urging the public to follow official updates. Ocean Governance: At the Nairobi Convention’s COP12 in Tanzania, Environment Minister Marie May Jeremie reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to regional cooperation, marine protection and a sustainable blue economy. Public Health: Seychelles has tightened entry rules for foreign nationals recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, requiring them to spend at least 21 days outside the country before travelling. No confirmed Ebola case in Seychelles was reported in the latest cited update. Heritage: First Lady Véronique Herminie said Seychelles would welcome Russian expertise in preserving cultural and natural heritage, highlighting the historic Mission Lodge.

Presidential Health: President Patrick Herminie has been admitted to Seychelles Hospital for observation. State House says he is stable and undergoing further tests. Ocean Governance: At the Nairobi Convention’s COP12, Environment Minister Marie May Jeremie reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to regional cooperation, marine protection and a sustainable blue economy. The conference marked 40 years of collaboration and adopted 15 decisions for the Western Indian Ocean. Travel Health: Seychelles has tightened entry rules for foreign nationals who recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, requiring them to spend at least 21 days outside the country before travelling. Officials have reported no Ebola cases detected in Seychelles. Heritage: First Lady Véronique Herminie said Seychelles is interested in Russia’s expertise in protecting cultural and natural heritage, highlighting Mission Lodge as a site for potential collaboration. Conservation: Nature Seychelles is urging international action and funding for coral biobanks amid bleaching risks, while a major operation on Alphonse Atoll aims to remove invasive animals and help native wildlife recover.

Presidency: President Patrick Herminie has been admitted to Seychelles Hospital for observation. State House says his condition is stable and asks the public to rely on official updates. Ocean Governance: At the Nairobi Convention’s COP12 in Tanzania, Environment Minister Marie May Jeremie reaffirmed Seychelles’ support for regional cooperation, marine protection and sustainable blue-economy development. The conference adopted 15 decisions to advance ocean protection across the Western Indian Ocean. Cultural Heritage: First Lady Véronique Herminie says Seychelles welcomes Russian expertise in preserving cultural and natural heritage, highlighting Mahé’s historic Mission Lodge. Public Health: Seychelles has tightened entry rules amid the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: foreign nationals with recent travel there must spend at least 21 days outside the DRC before travelling to the islands.

Climate Diplomacy: Former President James Michel says COP31 must turn climate promises into action, warning that rising tides, coral loss and stronger storms are already reshaping life in Seychelles. Public Health: Seychelles has tightened entry rules for foreign nationals recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, requiring 21 days outside the country before travel amid an Ebola outbreak. Trade Policy: The National Assembly unanimously approved the Trade Remedies Bill, a key step in shaping the country’s trade rules. Regional Ties: Kyrgyzstan ratified visa-regime agreements with Seychelles and Togo, strengthening bilateral travel arrangements. Conservation: A programme to remove rats, mice, feral cats and chickens is underway on Alphonse Atoll to help native wildlife recover.**

Public Health: Seychelles has tightened entry rules amid the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: foreign nationals must spend at least 21 days outside the DRC before travelling to the islands. Officials reported no confirmed cases in Seychelles. Ocean Governance: Seychelles joined nine other countries at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12, which adopted 15 decisions to advance protection and sustainable development in the Western Indian Ocean. Conservation: Nature Seychelles is urging international leaders to fund coral biobanks as a forecast warns of marine heat stress in the region through January 2027. On Alphonse, a multi-agency programme is underway to remove invasive animals and help native wildlife recover. Diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan has ratified visa-regime agreements with Seychelles and Togo.

Public Health: Seychelles tightened entry rules for foreign nationals with recent travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, requiring them to spend at least 21 days outside the country before arriving. No Ebola cases had been detected in Seychelles as of October 19. Ocean Governance: Seychelles joined nine other Nairobi Convention parties at COP12, which adopted 15 decisions to advance protection and sustainable development across the Western Indian Ocean. Conservation: Nature Seychelles is calling for coral biobanks and urgent funding amid forecasts of marine heat stress through January 2027. On Alphonse, a major programme is underway to remove invasive species and help native wildlife recover.

Regional Ocean Governance: COP12 adopted 15 decisions to advance protection and sustainable development in the Western Indian Ocean, with Seychelles among the convention’s 10 member countries. Coral Protection: Nature Seychelles is urging international leaders to fund coral biobanks, as a forecast warns of marine heat stress and bleaching risks in the western Indian Ocean. Atoll Conservation: A new programme on Alphonse is targeting rats, mice, feral cats and chickens to help native wildlife recover. Sanctions Oversight: A report says companies linked to the Russian sanctions-evasion network A7 operate in Seychelles, among several jurisdictions; it does not allege government involvement. Parliament: The National Assembly unanimously approved the Trade Remedies Bill. International Relations: Kyrgyzstan has ratified visa-regime agreements with Seychelles and Togo.

Internet Governance: A Seychelles-registered company controlled by businessman Lu Heng filed 10 of Africa’s 16 applications in ICANN’s new domain-name round. The same businessman controls a firm holding about 6.2 million internet addresses and has called for Africa’s internet registry, AFRINIC, to be wound up — raising questions about transparency and the public interest. Regional Ties: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified visa agreements with Seychelles. Citizens of both countries may stay visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Financial Cooperation: Seychelles is among the jurisdictions named on the UK’s 2026 list for automatic exchange of financial information.

Financial Cooperation: Seychelles is among the jurisdictions expected to exchange financial account information automatically with the UK in 2026, under the Common Reporting Standard. Internet Governance: A Seychelles-registered company controlled by businessman Lu Heng submitted 10 of Africa’s 16 applications in ICANN’s new domain-name round. The report links the company to the wider dispute over AFRINIC, Africa’s internet registry, and calls for greater transparency. Diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a visa-free agreement with Seychelles, allowing citizens of both countries stays of up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Tax Policy: The EU again listed Seychelles among African economies meeting its tax-governance standards, with no outstanding corrective measures.

Digital Governance: A Seychelles company controlled by Lu Heng filed 10 of Africa’s 16 applications in ICANN’s new domain-name round. The report links Heng to Cloud Innovation, which holds millions of IP addresses allocated by AFRINIC and has called for the regional internet registry to be wound up, raising questions about transparency and public interest. Bilateral Ties: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a visa-free agreement allowing Seychellois and Kyrgyz citizens stays of up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Financial Cooperation: Seychelles is among jurisdictions expected to automatically exchange financial information with the UK in 2026, and remains off the EU’s tax blacklist. Trade Controls: The UK added Seychelles to a general export licence covering certain controlled dual-use technologies; exporters must still check whether specific goods qualify. Political History: A new account revisits the failed 1981 coup attempt against President France-Albert René, 45 years later.

Internet Governance: A Seychelles company controlled by businessman Lu Heng submitted 10 of Africa’s 16 applications in ICANN’s new domain-name round. The report links Heng to Cloud Innovation, which holds millions of internet addresses allocated by AFRINIC and has called for the regional registry to be wound up, raising questions about oversight of Africa’s internet resources. Political History: A new account revisits the failed 1981 coup attempt, when mercenaries posing as tourists arrived armed and tried to oust President France-Albert René and restore James Mancham. Diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a visa-free travel agreement with Seychelles, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Financial Transparency: Seychelles is among the jurisdictions expected to automatically exchange financial information with the UK in 2026. It also remains off the EU’s tax blacklist, recognised for cooperation on tax governance.

Government spending: Vice-President Sébastien Pillay told the National Assembly that about SCR30 million of Golden Jubilee spending went to local suppliers, benefiting 339 Seychellois vendors and small businesses. MPs also unanimously approved the Trade Remedies Bill. International ties: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a visa-free travel deal with Seychelles, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit and 90 days a year. Seychelles and Russia are also deepening ties, with Moscow set to train 300 professionals. Trade and regulation: The UK added Seychelles to an expanded export licence covering some controlled dual-use technologies; exporters must still check whether specific goods qualify. The EU continues to list Seychelles among jurisdictions meeting its tax-cooperation standards.

Diplomatic Ties: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approved a visa-free agreement with Seychelles, allowing citizens to stay up to 30 days per visit, with a 90-day annual limit. Trade and Security: The UK expanded an export licence to include Seychelles for some controlled dual-use technologies; exporters must still check whether specific goods qualify. Legal Affairs: BitMEX, whose operator is based in Seychelles, faces a UK claim seeking the return of bitcoin allegedly lost through unauthorised derivatives trading. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the company had not been served. Public Spending: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay told the National Assembly that about SCR30 million of Golden Jubilee spending went to local suppliers, with 339 Seychellois vendors benefiting. Tax Standing: Seychelles remains among the African jurisdictions the EU recognises as cooperative on tax governance, with no outstanding corrective measures.

Trade Policy: The National Assembly unanimously approved the Trade Remedies Bill, giving Seychelles a framework to counter dumping and other harmful import practices. Travel and Ties: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament ratified a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement with Seychelles, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Export Rules: A UK export licence now includes Seychelles among destinations eligible for certain controlled dual-use technologies; the change does not cover every controlled item. Public Spending: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay told the Assembly that about SCR 30 million of Golden Jubilee spending went to local suppliers, benefiting 339 Seychellois vendors and small service providers. Tax Standing: Seychelles remains among the African economies the EU recognises as meeting its tax-governance standards, with no outstanding corrective measures.

Diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has ratified a visa-waiver deal with Seychelles, allowing citizens of both countries stays of up to 30 days per visit, capped at 90 days a year. Trade Policy: Seychelles’ National Assembly unanimously approved the Trade Remedies Bill, giving the government tools to respond to unfair imports and protect the small economy. Public Spending: Vice-President Sebastien Pillay told MPs about Golden Jubilee costs: around SCR 30 million was spent locally, with 339 Seychellois vendors and small businesses benefiting. Digital Government: Airtel Africa’s chief executive met Pillay to discuss competition, affordable internet and infrastructure sharing, as the company reaffirmed investment plans following its 5G rollout. International Standing: Seychelles remains among seven African economies recognised by the EU for tax cooperation, with no outstanding corrective measures.