Seychelles & La Reunion Forge New Partnerships at Historic Chef Summit
Ambassador at Large, Alain St. Ange leads high-level discussions to deepen cooperation between the two Vanilla Island nations.
The aroma of Creole spices filled the air on May 23 and 24, but at the 1st International Summit and Festival of Creole Chefs, the conversation went far beyond the plate. Held at the historic MOCA – Domaine de Montgaillard in Reunion, the event became the unexpected catalyst for high-stakes diplomatic breakthroughs.
Leading the charge was Ambassador Alain St. Ange, who leveraged the festival’s momentum to lead a series of institutional meetings aimed at strengthening the bond between Seychelles and Reunion. The agenda was clear: transform shared heritage into tangible economic cooperation.
A Shared Identity, A Shared Future
At the heart of the discussions was a spirit of win-win cooperation, anchored in tourism, Creole culture, fishing, and air connectivity. The dialogue was characterized by a mutual recognition that their shared Creole identity is not just a cultural curiosity, but a strategic asset.
St. Ange’s most significant engagement was a meeting with Huguette Bello, President of the Regional Council of Reunion and a powerhouse of regional diplomacy in the Indian Ocean.
“Our shared Creole identity is not just a heritage—it is a strategic asset for the future,” the leaders agreed, reaffirming the deep historical ties that bind the two islands.
Tourism emerged as the most mature sector for collaboration. Both St. Ange and Bello praised the success of the Vanilla Islands organization—a regional tourism initiative co-founded by St. Ange—which has pioneered multi-island cruise itineraries and integrated holiday packages. The consensus was clear: the next frontier is culture as a product. The summit itself was cited as a blueprint for how cultural events can drive international appeal, with plans to develop joint branding strategies that showcase the unique “Creole soul” of both destinations.
Deep-Sea Synergies: Fishing and Sovereignty
While tourism grabbed the headlines, the fishing sector proved to be the bedrock of practical cooperation. In talks with Wilfrid Bertile, the focus shifted to the economic realities of the Indian Ocean.
Key topics included:
- Joint Training: Upskilling fisheries professionals across both territories.
- Shared Expertise: Pooling technical knowledge for sustainable deep-sea fishing.
- Maritime Sovereignty: Addressing converging challenges in protecting shared waters.
A pivotal development highlighted during the talks was the Reunion Region’s 2025 acquisition of a stake in SAPMER, a major deep-sea fishing operator in the Indian Ocean and French Southern and Antarctic Lands. This investment is poised to become the operational engine for future fisheries partnerships, blending Reunion’s capital with Seychelles’ maritime experience.
Bridging the Gap: The Air Link Revival
Perhaps the most anticipated outcome was the dialogue on air connectivity. St. Ange met with Hugues Marchessaux to explore the feasibility of re-establishing a direct air link between Reunion and Seychelles.
The proposed route is designed to do more than just connect two islands; it aims to create a regional hub that facilitates onward connections to Europe. The discussions focused on the economic and operational conditions necessary to make the service sustainable, ensuring that the flight path becomes a viable commercial artery rather than a symbolic gesture.
From Dialogue to Roadmap
The summit has confirmed a renewed commitment from both Seychelles and Reunion to turn cultural proximity into concrete action. The path forward involves:
- Sectoral Roadmaps: Developing detailed plans for tourism, fisheries, and aviation.
- Regional Mobilization: Leveraging frameworks like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) to secure funding and policy support.
- Cultural Exchange: Formalizing programs that keep the “Creole momentum” alive year-round.
As the chefs packed away their knives and the delegates returned to their airports, one thing was certain: the flavor of cooperation between these two islands is just beginning to simmer.
