Appointment of the New Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States of America (USA)
Ambassador Fock Tave holds a Master's Degree in Economics from the Technische Universität Berlin, Germany. Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 1996, she has held various positions in the Ministry, including Ambassador to the European Union, several European countries, the Holy See, the United Nations Office at Geneva, the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
In her most recent position, she was serving as the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs since May 2021.
The appointment will take effect as of 1st August 2025.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Trump to tour Federal Reserve as war on Chair Powell escalates
US President Donald Trump was set to tour the site of the Federal Reserve's headquarters on Thursday, a significant escalation in his relentless pressure campaign on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates. The White House has framed the visit to tour the renovation of two Fed buildings, whose costs have swelled from an initial $1.9 billion to roughly $2.5 billion. Some believe the Trump administration is attacking the renovation costs as a pretext to fire Mr Powell. Presidential visits to the Federal Reserve are rare, with the commander-in-chief generally taking precautions to preserve the central bank's autonomy. The last president to visit the Fed was George W Bush in 2006 when he swore in Ben Bernanke as chair. Other Trump aides are expected to tour the Fed's renovations with him. It was not clear if Mr Trump will meet Mr Powell. 'The Federal Reserve is working with the White House to accommodate their visit,' a Federal Reserve spokesperson told The National. Mr Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the Fed's extended rate-cut pause. The US central bank has held its interest target rate range steady at 4.25 to 4.50 per cent this year due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs. Recent data have shown that the effects of tariffs are beginning to creep into the US economy. The Labour Department reported last week that inflation had ticked up in June. Underlying data showed that prices in everyday items such as household appliances, toys and apparel are being passed down to consumers. Some economists, however, argue that the Fed should begin cutting rates soon to help protect the labour market. Unlike most central banks, the Fed holds a dual mandate of price stability and full employment. The visit also comes less than a week until the Fed's next meeting, where it is again expected to hold rates steady. But Mr Trump has repeatedly called for the Fed to lower interest rates by as much as 3 percentage points to around 1.25 per cent. He has said doing so could help service the US debt, a concept known as fiscal dominance. Projections released by the Fed in June signalled that the central bank expects to cut rates twice this year, although it is unclear when. Traders currently expect the Fed to resume rate cuts in September, according to CME Group data. Mr Powell has repeatedly said Mr Trump does not have the legal authority to fire him. And such a move would likely lead to a financial crisis as markets would question the independence of future rate moves by the central bank. Mr Powell has also said he will not resign before his term as Fed Chair expires in May 2026. The bond market was mostly subdued ahead of Mr Trump's visit, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury up 1 basis point at 4.398 per cent.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
UAE has hosted more than 17,600 Afghan evacuees since 2021
Almost four years since the Taliban took power following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, UAE authorities have provided details of how many Afghans it has hosted. The UAE has spent almost Dh1.35 billion ($367.6 million) hosting Afghan refugees before relocating them to other countries since 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. There have been 17,619 Afghans hosted in Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi since there were widespread evacuations after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, two decades after they were toppled by the US and Nato. The assistance covered all the needs of Afghan citizens − including health care, logistical and diplomatic services, communications, shelter and food − ensuring comfort, a dignified life and well-being, said a statement from the ministry released on Thursday. EHC also provided services related to departure procedures, with 17 offices opened for the embassies of the countries to where Afghans were seeking relocation. School transport was also provided, along with on-site education and training courses. Almost 2,600 Afghans benefitted from training and professional development workshops, the ministry added. 'The UAE has spared no effort in assisting the Afghan people, being at the forefront of countries that have initiated support for Afghanistan,' said the ministry. 'This reflects its humanitarian mission, which is based on the values of giving, charitable work, spreading peace and consolidating coexistence, tolerance, and the principles of human fraternity. 'It also promotes solidarity with peoples during the most difficult circumstances and crises facing countries. 'The focus on caring for people and preserving their dignity has been a constant approach in the UAE's journey since its founding, regardless of ethnic, religious, or geographical backgrounds and in line with its noble humanitarian principles. It has become a global symbol of humanitarian giving and sustainable good.' A US news outlet reported earlier this month that the UAE was preparing to send a small number of evacuees back to Afghanistan in July.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Gaza suffering is 'unbearable', says EU commissioner
International pressure on Israel to alleviate 'unbearable' suffering in Gaza is set to increase at an upcoming conference in New York in support of a Palestinian state, the EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica has told The National. The UN has warned of mass starvation in Gaza engineered by Israel, but Benjamin Netanyahu's government rejects the accusation and blames Hamas. In the meantime the number of deaths from starvation rises steadily. 'The situation there is unbearable,' Ms Suica said. 'This is exactly the reason there is a conference. It won't solve that but it can help, because France and Saudi Arabia are organising it. Many foreign ministers will follow, and I will join on behalf of the European Commission.' A two-state solution such as that backed by the bloc and its Arab partners appears to many more elusive than ever. Israel's parliament this week called for the annexation of all Jewish settlements in the West Bank – in effect blocking the possibility of a future Palestinian state. Ms Suica, a Croatian politician who is scheduled to represent the EU at this month's conference, plays a central role in shaping the EU's economic diplomacy in the Middle East. The budget she oversees was doubled last week to €42.5 billion in the EU Commission's latest seven-year budget proposal. In October, Ms Suica will present a 'new pact for the Mediterranean', which is expected to include concrete partnerships with the region, starting with the first joint energy conference with GCC countries in Brussels on December 15. The idea is to show the region that the EU is not neglecting relations with the Arab world despite being also focusing on what is viewed as Russia's existential threat in Ukraine. Though not part of the Mediterranean region, Gulf countries are to be integrated in the new pact as privileged partners. 'We badly need them to get with us, because their interest is to have peace, security and prosperity in the region,' Ms Suica said. We want to be a player, not only a payer EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica Ms Suica, who is in charge the EU's funding to the Palestinian Authority, said that the EU would invite partners in New York to join a newly launched donor platform. It also aims to co-ordinate international efforts for the reconstruction of postwar Gaza once a permanent ceasefire is achieved. EU pressure Brussels views the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has been considerably weakened by Israel, as the only alternative to Hamas in governing Gaza. As its primary financial supporter, the EU increased its funding to the PA this year to €620 million in grants, up from €400 million in grants and loans in 2024. The bloc also recently released €52 million in funding for UNRWA, though Ms Suica signalled hopes that, over time, the PA will assume responsibility for essential services. 'Once they take over services, like health and education, they will be powerful enough to show that they can be a counterpart to Israel,' she said. 'This is what we want to achieve.' Gulf countries as well as OECD states, including the UK, Australia and Japan, would be considered strong partners to the new donor platform. There is a widespread view that the US mediates conflicts in the region while the EU finances reconstruction – but Ms Suica wants that to change, pointing to the Middle East's geographical proximity to Europe. Her motto is: 'We want to be a player, not only a payer.' While the New York conference is not expected to yield immediate decisions, it aims to offer a renewed political horizon for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. Participants are set to express their concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Yet both Israel and the US will be absent, and France's stated intention to issue its own recognition of Palestine at a follow-up leaders' meeting in September has angered Israel. Despite Israel's reputation suffering a blow during the Gaza war, EU unity on the conflict remains fragile – a fact recognised by Ms Suica. 'Let's see whether this conference in New York will help, because it will be worldwide, and I am sure that they [Israelis] also don't want to have such an image in the world,' she said. EU countries failed last week to adopt of any of the 10 measures put forward by the bloc's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, after her services found that Israel had breached a human rights clause enshrined in its relations with the bloc. Her proposals included suspending trade preferences and scientific partnerships. All options One measure that did gain consensus was a deal to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Yet EU ambassadors in Brussels were reported to have been widely dissatisfied with its roll-out and impact at their first update this week. Ms Kallas on Tuesday warned that 'all options remain on the table if Israel doesn't deliver on its pledges'. Her office did not answer a question from The National asking whether she would participate in the upcoming conference in New York. Israel has killed close to 60,000 Gazans in 21 months of war, after around 1,200 died in Hamas-led attacks in Israel. Ms Suica reiterated the EU's insistence on Israel keeping border crossings open to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance. 'They opened some crossings, but still, we are monitoring closely what's going on. We need more,' she said. Regional efforts In addition to her work on Palestine, Ms Suica has been actively engaging with Middle Eastern partners to forge long-term region-to-region co-operation. This includes a strategic partnership signed with Jordan in January and discussions on green energy initiatives with Morocco, such as maritime port decarbonisation. She described the frequent accusation that such partnerships are focused solely on keeping migrants out of Europe as false. 'We don't impose anything. We don't have a template,' Ms Suica said. There has also been a measure of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, with the Israeli, Palestinian and Syrian foreign ministers sitting at the same table at a meeting in Brussels last week. In June, Ms Suica announced a €175 million aid package for Syria. She recalls being told during meetings with Syria's Finance Ministry and central bank governor that while the country was happy to see the EU return after the fall of the Assad regime, there was fear of European interference. 'We don't want to interfere, but we want to accompany you. We want to assist you,' she answered. On Palestine, the philosophy is the same, she said, pointing to its financial support for the PA. 'I cannot predict what will happen, but we are doing our best to achieve a two-state solution,' Ms Suica said.
