Rolph Payet Email & Phone Number

I grew up on a remote island archipelago, never realizing that my actions as a global citizen would reach even those remote corners of our world. Driven by the mantra that small ripples create profound and lasting effects, I embarked on a journey to tackle our most pressing development issues. All we need is to understand that our collective decisions and actions can lead to ripples that impact positively or negatively on our collective happiness and prosperity. I'm relentless in the pursuit of innovative solutions for happiness and prosperity! I remain drawn to the fragile nature of our oceans and the dependence of my country on fisheries and tourism. This led me to establish the first marine research centre in the Seychelles, which then grew into an ambitious movement to get island leaders to establish networks of mega-marine protected areas through the Island Conservation Society and the Global Island Partnership. However, connecting people with a sustainable ocean economy was easier said than done! Learning from the experience of other global NGOs, I started a decade long journey to establish a capital market for long-term sustainable marine resources in Seychelles. After years of convincing policy makers and bankers alike, the reality of world’s first sovereign US$ 15 million blue bond in 2018 demonstrated that capital markets for financing the sustainable use of marine resources is feasible.In-between sharing, engaging and leading innovations, I established the first university in Seychelles, which in 2019, celebrated 10 years, graduated over hundred students whose life and future will never be the same again. Joining the United Nations in 2014 to lead the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions was an opportunity to enhance three little known but profound conventions to the forefront of decision-making on chemicals and wastes. By 2019, the Basel Convention had become the only legally binding treaty in the world to deal with the issue of the more than the 150 million tonnes of plastic we have dumped in our oceans. I am hoping this small ripple will be the spark that engages all countries, all communities and consumers in dealing with this and other looming global challenges!

Listed skills include Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Environmental Policy, Environmental Awareness, and 45 others.