CEO Cedras Elected President of WIOMPAN

At the recent Extraordinary Meeting of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network (WIOMPAN), held on October 25th in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Allen Cedras, CEO of the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), was elected as the new president of the Network. His election marks a significant milestone for Seychelles and underscores the nation’s commitment to preserving its vital marine ecosystems.

WIOMPAN serves as a crucial platform for Marine Protected Area (MPA) professionals across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices while fostering collaboration to tackle shared challenges in marine conservation. Mr. Cedras takes the helm from the previous president, who hailed from Reunion Island, and will serve a two-year term dedicated to advancing the Network's mission.

During the meeting, chapter leaders from the WIO region and other stakeholders convened to review the Network's constitution and discuss key principles. Mr. Cedras emphasized the importance of collective action and mutual support in achieving ambitious global conservation goals, such as the “30 by 30” initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. He stated, “I recognize the importance of collaboration in reaching these targets, and I am especially committed to engaging West African countries in our conservation efforts. We must enhance communication and coordination among member nations and create more learning opportunities.”

Under Mr. Cedras' leadership, WIOMPAN is poised to strengthen its role as a catalyst for marine conservation in the region, building on existing partnerships and fostering new initiatives that will benefit both local communities and global ecosystems.