AGP Executive Report

Russian Ballet in Victoria: Russia’s new ambassador says a gala concert with Bolshoi and Mariinsky stars will land in Seychelles on 28 July, with a “Bolshoi Theatre: Through Time” exhibition opening the same day at the National Library. Commonwealth Games, Para Athletics: Sharmila Dhankar made history by becoming India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold medallist in women’s shot put F57, while India also added medals via high jump and weightlifting. Commonwealth Games, Team NI & Seychelles links: Team NI’s boxing schedule includes Eoghan Quinn facing Seychelles’ Jade Micock in the men’s 80kg round of 16, as the Games’ action continues in Glasgow. Local Sport, Volleyball: Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup semifinals set up a women’s final between Arsu Ladies and City Ladies after five-set drama and straight wins. Ocean Culture & Climate: A coral reef restoration project across Mauritius and Seychelles is putting coastal communities at the heart of ocean recovery, tackling bleaching and storm damage. Education & Conservation: Curieuse Island hosted the Erasmus GreenTraINT Summer School, spotlighting sustainable agroforestry and biodiversity training with local partners. Youth & Chess: International Chess Day celebrations in Seychelles brought students together for a national interschool blitz, showing chess momentum in schools.

Russian Cultural Exchange: Russia’s new Seychelles ambassador, Kirill Sokolov-Shcherbachev, announced a 28 July Victoria gala of Russian ballet stars plus a “Bolshoi Theatre: Through Time” exhibition at the Seychelles National Library, marking shared anniversaries. Sports & Youth: Seychelles chess is building momentum: students gathered at Mont Fleuri for International Chess Day’s second National Interschool Chess Blitz Tournament, with new champions emerging. Environment & Community: A coral reef restoration push across Mauritius, Seychelles and Rodrigues is putting coastal communities at the centre of ocean recovery, tackling bleaching, storms and damage that have hit reefs hard in recent decades. Local Sport: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup is heading to finals after Arsu Ladies and Brotherhood won dramatic five-set semifinals, setting up the women’s and men’s championship matches. Travel & Nature Buzz: Curieuse Island hosted Erasmus GreenTraINT Summer School, spotlighting sustainable agroforestry, livestock training and biodiversity conservation through international collaboration. Commonwealth Games Watch: Seychelles’ Angelina Smythe featured in the Glasgow 2026 swimming heats as Jasmine Schofield of Dominica narrowly missed her national record.

Commonwealth Games (Boxing): JP Hale left Glasgow frustrated after a referee-fuelled quarter-final exit, while Nicole Clyde marked her comeback with a “four years in the making” redemption run at the Games. Commonwealth Games (Boxing): Louis Rooney’s debut ended fast in the ring when a single punch sent him down, underscoring how quickly fortunes can flip in elite sport. Russian Culture in Seychelles: Seychelles’ capital Victoria will host a Russian ballet gala concert on 28 July, with a matching exhibition opening at the National Library—tying together Bolshoi milestones and 50 years of Seychelles–Russia ties. Traditional Leadership & Heritage: Nana Yaa Akyaa II received a royal welcome as the 15th Asantehemaa, with coverage spotlighting Ashanti customs and the cultural weight of queenmothers. Education & Youth Culture (Chess): International Chess Day celebrations in Seychelles brought schools together for a national interschool blitz, with new champions emerging. Sports & Community (Volleyball): Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup semifinals set up the finals after Neo Boyz and City Ladies booked their spots. Seychelles Tourism Spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List puts Praslin in the spotlight for nature lovers, adding fresh momentum to Seychelles’ island-brand story. Environment & Lifestyle (Yachting): SEA Index® expands CO₂ certification models across more yacht types, pushing greener standards into recreational cruising. Regional Safety & Travel: A virus outbreak travel warning (chikungunya) is circulating for beach destinations, reminding travellers to protect themselves.

Commonwealth Games Spotlight: Nicole Clyde’s “four years in the making” redemption run ended in Glasgow as she bowed out in the quarter-finals, while Team NI’s boxing medal hopes and matchups keep the spotlight on the Seychelles-linked sporting community. Russian Cultural Exchange: Seychelles is set for a Russian ballet gala in Victoria on 28 July, with an accompanying “Bolshoi Theatre: Through Time” exhibition at the National Library—an independence-and-diplomacy themed cultural moment. Traditional Leadership & Women’s Roles: Nana Yaa Akyaa II’s royal outdooring as the 15th Asantehemaa is celebrated as a powerful continuation of queenmother influence, peace, and community guidance. Youth & Learning Through Sport: International Chess Day brought Seychelles students together for the National Interschool Chess Blitz, highlighting growing chess talent in schools. Local Sports: The SVF Cup semifinals delivered clear finalists—Neo Boyz and City Ladies—setting up the next big push toward the trophy. Tourism Buzz for Seychelles: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List places Praslin among top emerging picks, reinforcing Seychelles’ pull for nature lovers. Environment & Lifestyle: SEA Index® expands CO₂ certification across more recreational yachts, pushing greener standards into the yachting lifestyle.

Island Buzz (Expedia 2026): Expedia’s Island Hot List is pushing Praslin (Seychelles) into the spotlight as “Best for Nature Lovers,” alongside Syros and Phu Quoc—proof that travellers want culture and value, not just crowded beaches. Queenmother Spotlight: Nana Yaa Akyaa II was officially outdoored as the 15th Asantehemaa, with attention on the role of queenmothers in peace, reconciliation and community wisdom. Chess in Schools: Seychelles marked International Chess Day with an interschool blitz at Mont Fleuri Secondary School, showcasing a growing pipeline of young players. Volleyball (SVF Cup): The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup semifinals set up the final after Neo Boyz and City Ladies booked their places with strong wins. Seychelles in Global Travel: Emerald Cruises announced new November 2026 Seychelles & Indian Ocean sailings aboard Emerald Kaia, linking Mahé with Mombasa and more. Energy & Environment: SEA Index® expanded CO₂ certification for recreational yachts, while UNESCO-IOC trained facilitators in Bali to strengthen tsunami preparedness across the North-West Indian Ocean, including Seychelles. Sports (Commonwealth Games): Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games continues, with Team NI boxers and para powerlifting among the headline action.

Travel Spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is turning heads, with Praslin in Seychelles landing among the world’s fastest-rising island picks—ranked “Best for Nature Lovers” as searches surge and travellers look for less-crowded escapes. Local Youth & Culture: Seychelles marked International Chess Day with a national interschool blitz at Mont Fleuri Secondary School, spotlighting the next generation of players. Sports & Community: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup semifinals delivered a clear path to the finals, with Neo Boyz and City Ladies winning their respective matches. Sustainability at Sea: The SEA Index® expanded its CO₂ certification methodology for more yacht types, extending environmental assessment across a wider recreational fleet. Tourism & Experiences: Emerald Cruises announced new 13-day Seychelles & Indian Ocean sailings aboard Emerald Kaia, while G Adventures keeps upgrading its Geluxe Collection with fresh coastal adventures. Regional Preparedness: UNESCO-IOC trained facilitators in Bali to strengthen tsunami preparedness across the North-West Indian Ocean, including Seychelles.

Local Sports & Youth: International Chess Day landed at Mont Fleuri as Seychelles schools battled in the second National Interschool Chess Blitz Tournament, spotlighting the future of chess in classrooms. Community & Women’s Sport: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup semifinals set up the finals, with Neo Boyz and City Ladies winning through strong performances at the Palais des Sports. Culture Through Music: Youth Band Seychelles keeps building its reputation as a youth talent platform under the Seychelles National Youth Council, bringing Seychellois culture to bigger stages. Tourism & Lifestyle: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List puts Praslin in the spotlight for nature lovers, while Seychelles also appears in broader visa-free travel chatter and luxury travel roundups. Sustainability in Travel: SEA Index® expands CO₂ certification for more yacht types, pushing greener standards across the recreational yachting sector. Regional Resilience: UNESCO-IOC trained tsunami preparedness facilitators across the North-West Indian Ocean, including Seychelles, to strengthen local readiness. Global Travel Watch: A CDC travel notice flags chikungunya risk in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste, urging mosquito-bite precautions for travellers.

Strategic Human Rights: Diego Garcia’s Chagossian community was forcibly removed between 1967 and 1973 to clear the way for a UK–US military base, a move later judged by international courts as a serious violation of international law. Green Yachting: SEA Index® has expanded its CO₂ certification for recreational yachts, with new benchmark models now covering smaller vessels and production catamarans up to 35m. Commonwealth Games Shock: Louis Rooney’s Commonwealth Games run in Glasgow ended after a single punch sent him down, with Team NI now focused on his comeback path toward LA 2028. Seychelles Volleyball: The SVF Cup semifinals set the stage for the final, with City Ladies and Premium Cobras Ladies both pushing through to the championship round. Coastal Adventure Boom: G Adventures is adding 16 trips to its Geluxe Collection, including seven new coastal adventures built around hiking, kayaking, wildlife and local culture. Tsunami Preparedness: UNESCO-IOC trained facilitators across North-West Indian Ocean countries, including Seychelles, to strengthen community-level tsunami readiness. Seychelles in Travel Spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List names Praslin, Seychelles, as a top nature-lover pick (+80%), while Emerald Cruises announced new Seychelles sailings aboard Emerald Kaia. Marine Education: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Praslin’s Vijay International School to teach coral reef protection and hands-on restoration using reef stars.

Volleyball in Seychelles: The SVF Cup semifinals are set for the final after Neo Boyz beat St Louis Dynamix 3-0 and City Ladies overcame Premium Cobras Ladies 3-1 at the Palais des Sports, with captain Angelique Adeline leading City Ladies’ charge. Commonwealth Games, Glasgow: Day 2 ramps up for India’s para powerlifting, gymnastics and swimming, while Team NI boxers are one win from medals, including Louis Rooney’s quarter-final bout. UNESCO & disaster readiness: Seychelles joined a UNESCO-IOC training of facilitators in Bali to strengthen tsunami preparedness across the North-West Indian Ocean. Tourism & travel buzz: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List crowns St. Lucia top, with Praslin (Seychelles) also highlighted for nature lovers; meanwhile, Emerald Cruises announced new Seychelles-focused sailings on Emerald Kaia. Seychelles in the spotlight: Seychelles is named among visa-free access points in multiple travel lists, including Russia’s expanded visa-free agreements with African nations. Local environment & culture: Seychelles President’s envoy visited Indonesia’s Pemapak Hot Springs, exploring partnerships to grow nature-based tourism. Energy watch: Cyprus activated rotating power cuts, with authorities publishing affected areas by group.

Tourism & Culture Spotlight: Seychelles is getting a fresh tourism boost in global travel chatter, with Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List naming Praslin as “Best for Nature Lovers” (+80%) alongside St. Lucia and Porto Santo—proof that travellers are actively seeking less-crowded island escapes. Local Heritage & Learning: International Chess Day celebrations in Seychelles brought the First Lady to an inter-school tournament at Mont Fleuri Secondary School, highlighting chess as a tool for critical thinking and community values. Regional Capacity Building: UNESCO-IOC trained tsunami preparedness facilitators in Bali, with Seychelles among the participating countries—an important reminder that coastal safety and local know-how go hand in hand. Sports & Youth: Youth Band Seychelles continues to build momentum as a national platform for young talent, performing at major events and promoting Seychellois culture through music. Travel Industry Watch: Emerald Cruises announced new 13-day Seychelles & Indian Ocean sailings on Emerald Kaia for November 2026, linking Mahé with Mombasa and more regional highlights.

Seychelles in the spotlight: Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List puts Praslin (Seychelles) in the top tier for “Nature Lovers,” with the wider list showing island-hopping demand rising fast. Luxury cruising: Emerald Cruises launches two new 13-day Seychelles & Indian Ocean Adventure sailings on Emerald Kaia (Mahé–Mombasa and back), promising small-port access and stops across the archipelago and beyond. Culture & learning: First Lady Veronique Herminie opened Seychelles’ International Chess Day inter-school tournament, backing chess as a tool for critical thinking and community values. Youth ocean action: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Praslin’s Vijay International School, teaching coral reef threats and hands-on restoration using reef stars. Sports: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup quarterfinals set the semifinal line-up, while the CSA Trading-LIQUI MOLY Karting National Championship reaches round four with tight racing. Travel practicalities: Visa-free updates keep circulating for African passports, including lists that name Seychelles for visa-free access in select countries.

Seychelles on the travel radar: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” puts Praslin (Seychelles) in the spotlight, with searches up 80%, as travellers chase nature-rich, less-crowded escapes. Cruise culture: Emerald Cruises adds two intimate 13-day Seychelles & Indian Ocean voyages on Emerald Kaia (Nov 17 and Nov 29, 2026), linking Mahé and key atolls with stops including La Digue, Farquhar and Aldabra. Visa access, Seychelles included: Russia expands visa-free travel with several African partners including Seychelles, while multiple passport-access lists keep highlighting Seychelles as a standout for easier short stays. Youth & community: Youth Band Seychelles continues building a platform for young Seychellois musicians, and Reef Rescuers brings hands-on coral protection education to Praslin schoolchildren. Sports & culture: The Seychelles Chess Federation’s International Chess Day events and the SVF Cup 2026 quarterfinals set the week’s community buzz.

Seychelles Tourism & Culture: Seychelles President’s Special Envoy to ASEAN, Nico Barito, visited Indonesia’s Pemapak Hot Springs to explore partnerships that could boost nature-based tourism, after the site drew about 4,500 visitors over the 2025/26 holidays and 5,600 after reopening post-renovation. Youth & Arts: Youth Band Seychelles continues to build a national platform for young talent, performing at major events including the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025. Education & Sports (Chess): First Lady Veronique Herminie opened the second Inter-School Chess Tournament at Mont Fleuri Secondary School for International Chess Day, praising chess for critical thinking and community values. Marine Conservation: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers brought coral-reef lessons and hands-on restoration activities to Year 3 students on Praslin, teaching responsible reef and beach behaviour. Local Sport: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup 2026 quarterfinals set the semifinal line-up, with City Ladies, Premium Cobras Ladies, Cascade and Arsu Ladies advancing. Travel Buzz (Regional): Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” highlights Praslin among fast-rising island escapes, while Russia expanded visa-free travel to include Seychelles for short stays.

Island Travel Buzz: Expedia’s 2026 “Island Hot List” shows island searches up 55% year-on-year, with St. Lucia topping the chart (+125%), followed by Porto Santo (+85%) and Praslin in Seychelles—proof travellers are chasing quieter beaches and local culture over the usual crowds. Visa-Free Spotlight (Seychelles angle): Macao SAR published an updated visa-free list that includes Seychelles, while Tonga says Seychelles is the only African country eligible for visa-free entry in 2026 (up to 30 days). Moldova also lists Seychelles as one of just two African nations with visa-free access in 2026. Culture & Education: First Lady Veronique Herminie opened Seychelles’ International Chess Day inter-school tournament at Mont Fleuri Secondary School, framing chess as a tool for critical thinking and values-building. Youth & Environment: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Praslin’s Vijay International School to teach coral reef protection and hands-on restoration using reef stars. Sports: The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup 2026 quarterfinals set the semifinal line-up, with City Ladies, Premium Cobras Ladies, Cascade and Arsu Ladies advancing. Tourism Development: Seychelles-linked interest is growing in Indonesia’s Pemapak Hot Springs, with Seychelles President’s Special Envoy to ASEAN visiting the site as cooperation talks continue.

Travel Deals: Scenic Group launched its third Summer Black Friday Sale, with up to 40% off select 2026–2027 cruise and tour fares (book July 20–Aug 3 using code SUMMERBF). Language & Identity: A new roundup maps where French is official or co-official worldwide, spotlighting Seychelles as a co-official partner alongside English and Seychellois Creole. Marine Education: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Vijay International School on Praslin, teaching Year 3 students about coral threats and coral restoration using reef stars. Sports (Women & Men): The SVF Cup 2026 quarterfinals set the semifinal line-up: City Ladies and Premium Cobras Ladies advance in the women’s bracket; Neo Boyz, Beau Vallon, St Louis Dynamix and Brotherhood secure men’s spots. Culture (Seychelles–Russia): The National Gallery previewed the Bolshoi Theatre Museum exhibition, with stage costumes and theatre history tied to Seychelles’ 50th independence anniversary. Local Governance & Tourism: Ghana’s Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie says the Volta Region push will blend cultural promotion, eco-tourism and road upgrades to unlock visitor growth. Scam Alert (Global): UK courts jailed a “fake police” crypto gang that stole £4M+ from eight victims, using panic calls and convincing police-style websites.

Seychelles Culture & Language: A quick guide to where French is spoken highlights Seychelles as a co-official French-speaking space alongside English and Seychellois Creole. Marine Education: Nature Seychelles Reef Rescuers visited Vijay International School on Praslin, turning coral-reef lessons into hands-on restoration activities using reef stars—training the next generation of ocean guardians. Sports (Volleyball): The Seychelles Volleyball Federation Cup 2026 quarterfinals set the semifinal line-up: City Ladies and Premium Cobras Ladies in the women’s semis, with Neo Boyz and Beau Vallon joining the men’s last four. Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: A National Gallery preview showcased the Russian Bolshoi Theatre Museum exhibition, bringing stage costumes and history to mark Seychelles’ 50th independence anniversary year. Local Governance & Tourism (Gomashie): Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie says the Volta Region will be pushed as an eco-tourism hub through cultural promotion, road access improvements, and private investment. Travel Policy (Seychelles in focus): Iran’s visa-free tourism list includes Seychelles for a 15-day stay (once every six months), while Spain’s 2026 visa-free expansion also lists Seychelles for up to 90 days. Scam Alert (Global, with Seychelles relevance): A UK court jailed three men for a “fake police” crypto scam that stole £4m from eight victims—an urgent reminder that real investigations never ask for wallet details or transfers for “safekeeping.”