From Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Ambassador Gervais Moumou is advancing a partnership built on more than four decades of diplomatic relations, connecting Seychelles’ priorities in investment, sustainability, tourism and the blue economy with the UAE’s capital, expertise and international reach.
His Excellency Gervais Moumou, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Arab Emirates, occupies a diplomatic posting of unusual strategic breadth. From Abu Dhabi, he leads Seychelles’ relationship with one of its most important partners in the Middle East, holds additional accreditations to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and serves as the country’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency. These responsibilities converge around a question: how can a small island state use trusted partnerships to expand economic opportunity, strengthen resilience and exercise influence beyond its size?
Ambassador Moumou brings more than two decades of experience in diplomacy, international relations and public service. His career spans bilateral engagement, multilateral cooperation, official visits, negotiation, consular assistance and institutional relationship building. His leadership philosophy reflects that experience. Public office, in his view, is a responsibility before it is a privilege. Listening is central to sound judgement, and credibility is built through consistency rather than display.
He has led the Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles in Abu Dhabi since 2023. Thus, becoming the third Seychelles Ambassador accredited to the UAE since the Mission was established and the first Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the International Renewable Energy Agency. His tenure builds on a relationship formally established on 18 December 1982. The opening of the Embassy on 24 November 2011 gave Seychelles its first resident diplomatic mission in the Middle East and Gulf region, creating a permanent base from which to deepen political dialogue and pursue practical cooperation.
The Embassy now functions as a regional diplomatic hub, representing Seychelles across a wider area of responsibility in the Middle East and Central Asia. Its mandate extends from government relations to trade, investment and tourism, while supporting cooperation in renewable energy, education, security, fisheries, health, culture and capacity building. It also provides consular protection, engages the Seychellois community and facilitates official visits and bilateral agreements. The breadth of the mandate reflects modern diplomacy: political trust matters most when it creates useful connections between governments, businesses, institutions and citizens.
The Embassy’s record in 2026 gives the position some substance. It coordinated the participation of President Dr. Patrick Herminie and several Cabinet Ministers in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the World Governments Summit, two of the Emirates’ flagship international gatherings, and supported the Minister for Environment, Climate and Natural Resources at the sixteenth session of the IRENA Assembly. It facilitated a financing agreement worth AED 32 million between the Government of Seychelles and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in support of a social housing project at home, which is the point at which diplomatic access becomes domestic delivery. And when conflict unsettled the wider region, the mission worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, host authorities and Seychellois communities to assist affected nationals and repatriate citizens who had been stranded.
The commercial case the Embassy now makes runs well beyond tourism, which remains the foundation of the national economy. The Ambassador directs attention towards the blue economy, where he identifies openings in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science and maritime services, renewable energy, digital transformation, food security and climate resilient infrastructure. The proposition is specific: an island state with a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, political stability and a growing reputation in marine conservation and ocean governance, seeking partners who bring employment, knowledge transfer and long horizons rather than capital alone.
Ambassador Moumou’s role at the International Renewable Energy Agency also places energy transition and climate resilience within the core diplomatic agenda. For Seychelles, these are not abstract international themes. They concern the structural pressures faced by Small Island Developing States and the need for solutions that protect livelihoods, public infrastructure and natural assets. Representation in Abu Dhabi therefore gives the country access to both a major bilateral partner and an international institution aligned with one of its most consequential development priorities.
There is a wider African significance to this work. Seychelles is geographically African, shaped by the Indian Ocean and closely connected to the Gulf. It can therefore contribute to cooperation in sustainability, maritime affairs, food security, technology and human capital. Ambassador Moumou also argues that African missions can strengthen the continent’s position by coordinating information, engaging investors collectively and presenting opportunities with honesty and coherence.
Ambassador Moumou’s work deserves attention as Seychelles relationship with the UAE is mature, yet the task remains to turn political goodwill into stronger institutions, responsible investment, effective consular support and opportunities for future generations. In the interview that follows, Ambassador Moumou reflects on the principles guiding his public service, the priorities shaping his mission and the sectors in which deeper cooperation can develop.
THE INTERVIEW
Your Excellency, looking back on your career, is there a defining moment that shaped the way you understand leadership and public service?
Ambassador Moumou: I cannot identify one defining moment. My understanding of leadership has developed through responsibilities, successes, disappointments and the people I have encountered throughout my career. One principle has remained constant: public office is a responsibility before it is a privilege. Titles are temporary, but the effect of our decisions on people can endure. I have also learned that leadership begins with listening because trust is built when people feel understood. Challenges have taught me patience, resilience and composure. Representing Seychelles has reinforced my belief that influence is not determined by size. It is earned through credibility, consistency and values. Leadership is ultimately measured by whether we leave our institutions and relationships stronger than we found them.
Was there a particular assignment, challenge or diplomatic experience that prepared you for your role as Ambassador of Seychelles to the United Arab Emirates?
Ambassador Moumou:No single assignment prepared me for this role. Diplomacy is learned through the accumulation of experiences that sharpen judgement. Different responsibilities taught me protocol, precision, negotiation, patience, discretion and the need to adapt when circumstances change. Above all, they taught me that diplomacy is about people. Policies are formed by governments, but confidence is built by individuals. An ambassador must represent the interests of their country faithfully while understanding the priorities of the host country. The most productive partnerships emerge where those interests converge. That approach continues to guide my work in the UAE: nurturing an established friendship while identifying cooperation that creates tangible value for both peoples.
What does serving Seychelles on the international stage mean to you at a personal level?
Ambassador Moumou: It is both a profound privilege and a great responsibility. I am always conscious that I represent the hopes, interests and aspirations of the Seychellois people, not merely an official title. Serving abroad has deepened my appreciation of our identity as a small island nation. Our size has taught us resilience, our geography has made partnership essential, and our history shows that progress comes through cooperation. Diplomacy also allows me to present Seychelles beyond its natural beauty by speaking about our commitment to peace, international law, environmental stewardship and cultural diversity. If my service creates opportunities, strengthens friendships and contributes to the wellbeing of our people, then I will have honoured the responsibility entrusted to me.
Your Excellency, as Seychelles’ Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, what is the central mission you hope to advance during your tenure?
Ambassador Moumou: My mission is to build on a relationship already grounded in trust, friendship and mutual respect, and to ensure that it continues creating lasting value for our peoples. The UAE is a global centre for investment, innovation and international cooperation. Seychelles offers political stability, a strategic Indian Ocean location and a strong commitment to sustainability. Our task is to connect these complementary strengths. Diplomacy must also extend beyond relations between governments by bringing together businesses, investors, universities, cultural institutions and communities. The Seychellois diaspora is an important bridge in that effort. I want the Embassy to connect credible opportunities in investment, tourism, education, renewable energy and the blue economy with the people and institutions capable of developing them responsibly.
How would you describe the current relationship between Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates?
Ambassador Moumou: The relationship is mature, dynamic and grounded in mutual respect. Its strength comes not only from more than four decades of formal ties, but from the consistency with which both countries have engaged one another. Cooperation in tourism, aviation, renewable energy, investment and sustainable development reflects shared priorities around innovation, resilience and practical benefits for our peoples. Air connectivity through Emirates and Etihad Airways has been especially important, linking families, supporting tourism and facilitating business and investment. The relationship continues to evolve as both countries explore cooperation in sustainability, maritime affairs, food security and climate resilience. Friendship between nations requires continuous engagement and mutual confidence, and I believe those qualities provide a strong foundation for the next stage of our partnership.
What are the most important priorities for the Embassy in strengthening bilateral relations between Seychelles and the UAE?
Ambassador Moumou: Our central responsibility is to translate an excellent political relationship into meaningful cooperation. Attracting responsible investment and expanding trade are key priorities. We want investors to understand Seychelles as both a leading tourism destination and a stable economy with opportunities in the blue economy, renewable energy, financial services, digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure. We also want to deepen educational, cultural, business and community links because bilateral relations become more resilient when they are supported by people and institutions beyond the government. The Embassy’s purpose is to create an environment in which useful cooperation becomes natural, credible and mutually beneficial.
Seychelles is seen as a country of significant opportunity. What sectors would you like investors and business leaders to understand better?
Ambassador Moumou: I would encourage investors to look beyond the postcard. Tourism will remain a cornerstone of our economy, but our opportunities are broader. The blue economy is particularly important, with potential in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean science, renewable energy and maritime services. We also see scope for investment in digital transformation, food security and infrastructure designed for climate resilience. As a Small Island Developing State, Seychelles needs innovative solutions to structural constraints, which creates opportunities for partners committed to sustainability and long term value. We are seeking more than capital. We welcome partnerships that create employment, transfer knowledge, respect our environment and strengthen economic resilience. Development and environmental stewardship must progress together.
If you had to introduce Seychelles to an executive, investor or traveller visiting for the first time, what would you want them to experience?
Ambassador Moumou: I would encourage them to slow down and experience Seychelles beyond its landscapes. Our beaches, marine parks and biodiversity are extraordinary, but they tell only part of the story. I would like visitors to meet the Seychellois people and understand a society shaped by many cultures, traditions and histories. That diversity has produced a country that is open, welcoming and respectful of others. For executives and investors, I would also want them to see a politically stable nation that thinks carefully about sustainable development. Our greatest asset is not only natural beauty, but our ability to protect it while creating economic opportunity. A visitor who understands our people, values and ambitions will understand Seychelles far better than one who sees only the destination.
The UAE is becoming an increasingly important partner for African nations. How do you view the evolving relationship between Africa and the Gulf?
Ambassador Moumou: I see it as one of the most promising partnerships of our time. Trade and investment remain important, but the relationship is becoming broader and more strategic. Africa brings young populations, growing markets and significant resources. The Gulf, particularly the UAE, brings strengths in finance, logistics, infrastructure, innovation and renewable energy. These capabilities can complement one another when partnerships build capacity, create employment and support sustained development on both sides. Seychelles occupies a distinctive position within this relationship. It is an African nation shaped by the Indian Ocean and closely connected to the Gulf, which enables it to support dialogue and cooperation across regions. Shared challenges such as climate change, food security, maritime security and sustainable development make this collaboration increasingly necessary.
How can African diplomatic missions in the UAE work together to present a stronger, more coordinated investment narrative for the continent?
Ambassador Moumou: We should begin by changing the conversation. Each African country has its own priorities, but there is also value in presenting the continent as a connected landscape of opportunity, innovation and partnership. Diplomatic missions can share information, coordinate engagement with investors, organise joint business forums and promote sectors in which our economies complement one another. The Africa Group of Ambassadors in the UAE offers an important platform for this work. Our narrative must also reflect what investors now seek, including innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, renewable energy and stability. Credibility is essential. Strong investment relationships depend on transparent information, consistency and honesty about both opportunities and challenges. By working together, African missions can strengthen their national interests while giving the continent a more coherent and confident voice.
When people read this profile, what is the one thing you would want them to understand about Seychelles’ future?
Ambassador Moumou: I would want them to understand that Seychelles approaches the future with confidence while remaining realistic about the pressures faced by a Small Island Developing State. Climate change, economic volatility and global uncertainty affect us directly, but our experience has taught us to adapt and innovate. We do not define our ambition by our geographic size. We want our ideas to be respected, our partnerships to be valued and our actions to reflect the principles we advocate. The future we seek combines economic opportunity with environmental stewardship, expands possibilities for young people and protects our natural heritage. We believe that meaningful progress is built with others through trust, respect and shared purpose. Every nation, regardless of size, has something valuable to contribute.
