Décisions du Conseils des Minisrres du 18 Avril 2019

Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note que le MOU entre le ministère de l’Intégration sociale et l’International Poverty Reduction Center of the People’s Republic of China a été renouvelé pour trois ans, des retombées de la visite du Président du Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta à Maurice entre autre,

1. Cabinet has agreed to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) holding the 29th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) Africa in Mauritius in September 2019. The purpose of the Meeting is to facilitate cooperation and coordination in regional activities directed against illicit drug traffic and to identify priority issues in the area and formulate recommendations to UNODC for addressing those issues. Some 200 participants from 54 UN Member States and representatives of the United Nations System and Non-Governmental Organisations are expected to attend the Meeting.

2. Cabinet has taken note of the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment and the International Poverty Reduction Center of the People’s Republic of China for a period of three years. The Memorandum of Understanding, inter alia, makes provision for continued cooperation between the two institutions in the following areas, namely:

(i) poverty reduction, social development exchange and joint research;

(ii) promotion of South-South cooperation in poverty reduction and achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals;

(iii) human resources development and capacity building; and

(iv) sharing of knowledge and experience on poverty reduction and social development.

3. Cabinet took note that the Prime Minister has expressed deep sorrow, in his own name and on behalf of the population, to the President and people of the Republic of France over the massive blaze that recently devastated the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade has also expressed his solidarity with the French people over the tragic incident.

4. Cabinet took note of the outcome of the State Visit of HE Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, to Mauritius from 9 to 12 April 2019. The State Visit was also a follow up to the meeting of the Kenya-Mauritius Joint Commission for Cooperation (JOC) at Senior Officials’ level in August 2018 in Nairobi and the Ministerial Meeting of the JOC in April 2019 in Mauritius.

During the State Visit, the Prime Minister had a tête-à-tête with the President of Kenya and discussed a number of issues of common interest, followed by a Working Session. Six Agreements and Memoranda which focussed on areas of cooperation between the two countries were signed.

In the margins of the State Visit, both countries have, inter alia, agreed to, :

(a) deepen collaboration in the banking sector, blue/ocean economy and fisheries, especially deep sea fishing technology and fisheries management;

(b) engage in promoting cooperation in education, research and innovation; and

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(c) deepen collaboration in the tourism sector.

The Prime Minister also informed President Kenyatta that Mauritius would support the candidature of Kenya for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the period 2021-2022. The Prime Minister also accepted an invitation from the President of Kenya to undertake a State Visit to Kenya.

The Prime Minister and the President of Kenya gave the keynote addresses at the Business Forum held on 12 April 2019. The Prime Minister, in his speech, stressed the importance of improving air and maritime connectivity, including having a regional maritime service for the East African and Indian Ocean region, facilitating trade, and encouraging joint business ventures and investment flows between the two countries. He indicated that Mauritius, at the invitation of Kenya, would explore the opportunities in the Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zone in Kenya.

5. Cabinet has taken note of the renaming of the Quartier Militaire Stadium after late Désiré L’Enclume, one of the prominent figures of the Mauritian football who represented Mauritius as goalkeeper of the national team for almost a decade and in recognition of his enormous contribution to the development of the local football.

6. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation, in collaboration with the EU Cyber Resilience for Development (Cyber4D) would organise a Cyber Drill Workshop for critical sectors in Mauritius from 23 to 25 April 2019. The objectives of the Workshop are to :

(i) identify gaps in cyber security infrastructure;

(ii) build capacity and improve the incident response capabilities of participants in critical sectors;

(iii) gauge and improve preparedness in the identification, response, prevention and resolution of computer incidents;

(iv) demonstrate how to evaluate the level of emergency preparedness in resisting and dealing with cyber security incidents;

(v) enhance communication and collaboration in the industry; and

(vi) foster networks of cyber expertise and international cooperation.

7. Cabinet has taken note that, following a bid proposal made by the Financial Services Commission, the Committee of Insurance, Security and Non-banking Financial Authorities (CISNA) has agreed to set up its Permanent Secretariat in Mauritius. The main mandate of CISNA is to ensure that the non-banking financial services regulatory frameworks within SADC Member States are harmonised and are in compliance with best international practices, standards and principles as set by the relevant international standard setting bodies.

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8. Cabinet has taken note of the conferment by the African Leadership (UK) Ltd of the Distinguished Leadership Excellence Award to Hon Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research during the recent African Education Summit 4th Edition in Washington DC. This Excellence Award is in recognition of her commitment and contribution to the growth and development of education and her exceptional leadership in advancing the education sector in Mauritius. One of the past award recipient of the African Leadership Awards includes Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

9. Cabinet has taken note that, a Coordination Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Mr D. Manraj, GOSK, Financial Secretary, to ensure proper communication with the Comité de Soutien with regard to the works being carried out by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by Hon Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, GCSK,
Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, in relation to the proposed setting up of the Land Court/Division/Tribunal or other appropriate institution as well as the setting up of the defined “Fund”. The Coordination Committee would also comprise representatives of the Comité de Soutien.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organised by the Ministry of
Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development to mark Earth Day 2019, which would be celebrated on 22 April at Black River Gorges National Park (Lower Gorges), and which would include, inter alia, the following :

(a) launching of posters on illegal dumping;

(b) items by famous local artists on biodiversity; and

(c) distribution of medicinal plants to all invitees.

Other activities would also be organised by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development in collaboration with other stakeholders, including embellishment and tree planting along Jemmapes Street, Port Louis and sensitisation on Earth Day theme for the month of April 2019 in Schools,
Social Welfare Centres and Community Centres.

The theme chosen for this year is “Protect our species”.

11. Cabinet has taken note that in view of the celebration of the Easter Festival on Sunday
21 April 2019, the Salary Pay Day for the month of April 2019 has been preponed to Saturday 20 April 2019.