(Seychelles News Agency) - With only days to go before the start of the UN conference on Small Island States in Samoa Island in the Pacific Ocean, Seychelles, being the strong advocate of the blue economy, continues to gather support for the promotion of the concept which will be showcased at the conference.

In a press statement issued this morning State House said, the Seychelles President James Michel will be heading to Auckland this week at the invitation of the New Zealand Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae where discussions will focus on the blue economy amongst other issues.

“President Michel will meet with the Governor General to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on renewable energy, education and the Blue Economy,” reads the statement.

From New Zealand Michel and his delegation will head to Apia, the capital of the Samoa Island for the third international conference on small island developing states which will take place from September 1 - 4.

‘The sustainable development of small island developing states through genuine and durable partnerships’ is the theme chosen for the gathering.

The grouping of small island developing states, SIDS, which the Indian Ocean archipelago is part of, was first recognised as a distinct group of developing countries at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992. 

The third SIDS conference is also taking place during the year which United Nations has declared, the international year of Small Island developing states.

In line with the UN theme, Michel also declared the Seychelles national theme for 2014, ‘International Year of Small Island Developing States: Seychelles – A Determined Island Nation’.