NAIROBI, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from around the world attending a conference on how to effectively utilize the marine resources for sustainable economic empowerment of communities have praised Seychelles for successfully launching initiatives to benefit from its oceans and seas.

The delegates attending the world's first Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi on Monday, jointly hosted by the governments of Kenya, Canada and Japan, singled out Seychelles for its "progressive action" to effectively utilize and protect marine resources to develop diversified economies.

"We have witnessed how progressive actions by some of the countries represented here to sustainably use, nature and protect marine resources have enabled these countries to develop vibrant, diversified and inclusive economies," said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, referring to Seychelles and Canada.

Seychelles recently won international acclaim from the World Bank and other international financial institutions when it became the first country to issue a "blue bond," the world's first ever blue sovereign bond to raise about 15 million U.S. dollars to finance investments in fisheries development.

The Bond's proceeds are to be used to expand the capacity of local fishing communities, safeguard oceans and expand protected marine zones, in addition to better conserving the marine and wildlife resources at sea and making them more environmentally sustainable.

The three-day conference is seeking the commitment of the world leaders and governments to use the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to enrich the economies of their countries and to avoid environmental risks associated with the misuse of natural resources.

According to Kenyatta, two thirds of the global waters lie beyond the national jurisdiction. This means that action in one sea will have positive or negative effect on other seas.

"Success in managing our global aquatic resources for sustainable global development, therefore, critically hinges on us working together," President Kenyatta said.

Seychelles President Danny Faure said his country was committed to the redoubling of efforts to ensure blue economy policies are included in all the policies agreed upon around Africa.

He said Seychelles would ensure the integration of the blue economy policies in all sectors.

Faure, who was recently appointed the African Union Champion for the Blue Economy, said his country and Mauritius, would also work jointly on the conservation and management of their marine resources.

He said Seychelles showed its commitment to the blue economy drive by offering to host the headquarters of the pan African shipping owners association in its country.

He called for the establishment of a regional mechanism for the monitoring of shipping lines at sea. Enditem

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