VICTORIA, Seychelles — The United Nations Task Force on the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has recognised Seychelles and 18 other state and non-state entities worldwide for their obesity reduction efforts, at a meeting held on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2025, in New York.
Seychelles chargée d’affaires in New York, Teresa Laurencine, received the award on behalf of the country. In a pre-recorded video message, Minister for Health Peggy Vidot said the award belongs to the people of Seychelles. ‘It belongs to the whole of Seychelles — to the teachers nurturing a culture of wellness, to healthcare workers guiding families toward better choices, and to young people showing that positive change is possible,’ she said.
The minister added that the award reflects the political will of the country’s leadership and the determination of its citizens. The recognition comes as part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health to address the high prevalence of NCDs in Seychelles, particularly obesity, diabetes and hypertension, through public education, school-based programmes and clinical interventions.
Seychelles joins 18 other recipients from across the globe that have been acknowledged by the UN Task Force for implementing evidence-based policies and programmes to curb obesity. The award is expected to be formally presented to the Ministry of Health in the coming weeks.
