UNDP-Mauritius

13/10/2026

Mental Well-Being for All 2026: Giving a Voice to Lived Experiences 🧠💚

Observed on 10 October, World Mental Health Day calls for greater awareness, open conversations and action to challenge stigma surrounding mental health. 🌍 This year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” emphasises the importance of listening with empathy and ensuring that people feel heard, understood and supported. 🤝

In this context, the Mental Well-Being for All 2026 programme, the second edition of the annual flagship initiative organised by the Abhyas Institute of Universal Awareness in collaboration with IGCIC, brought together stakeholders to raise awareness, encourage the sharing of lived experiences, and foster a better understanding of mental health challenges. 💬

The event was attended by the Honourable Acting High Commissioner of India, Her Excellency Mrs Aparna Ganeshan, and the Director General of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr A. Dinassing. UNDP Mauritius was represented by Sujitha Sekharan, International Operations Manager and Officer-in-Charge, who highlighted the importance of listening to personal experiences with empathy and translating understanding into meaningful action.

“We need to speak less and listen more, and move from listening to understanding, from understanding to engaging them, and from engaging to bringing about a meaningful change in their lives,” she emphasised. 👂💚

The message underscores that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being and that tackling stigma requires a collective commitment to creating supportive environments where everyone feels safe to speak, seek help, and be treated with dignity and respect. 🫶

For UNDP, mental well-being STARTS WITH US 🌱 through caring for ourselves, supporting one another and building communities where every voice matters. 💙

09/10/2026

🤝The UNDP team was honoured to welcome Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, to the UNDP Office today.

Ms. Eziakonwa, who previously served as UNDP's Regional Director for Africa, met with staff and shared her vision for the future of the continent, highlighting the opportunities emerging through innovative financing, digital transformation and entrepreneurship. During the exchange, she encouraged staff to continue championing bold and innovative solutions to development challenges, while also recognizing Mauritius' leadership and achievements in building resilience and advancing sustainable development.

The discussion provided a valuable opportunity for reflection, inspiration and dialogue on how UNDP can continue supporting Mauritius' development priorities while contributing to sustainable and inclusive progress across Africa 🇺🇳 🇲🇺

United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP Africa
UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
Alka Bhatia

09/10/2026

The UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, Alka Bhatia, joined fellow UN agencies in discussions with UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, on key development priorities for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

As , UNDP remains committed to working alongside governments, communities and development partners to strengthen resilience, expand opportunities and deliver lasting impact for the people of Mauritius and Seychelles. 🇺🇳🇲🇺🇸🇨

Alka Bhatia
UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa

09/10/2026

🌊 Protecting and restoring coral reefs is an investment in a more resilient future.

As part of her ongoing visit to Mauritius, UN Under-Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa visited the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Coral Reef Restoration Project in the South-East of the island, seeing first-hand how community action and nature-based solutions are helping restore marine ecosystems and strengthen coastal resilience.

Learn more about the project 👇
https://www.undp.org/mauritius-seychelles/projects/restoring-marine-ecosystem-services-rehabilitating-coral-reefs-meet-changing-climate-future

Adaptation Fund
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP Africa
UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
Eco-Sud
Reef Conservation

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

Strengthening Credit-Risk Information to Unlock Investment in Africa

On the margins of the 2nd Annual Africa Credit Ratings Conference in Mauritius, the Resident Representative for UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Alka Bhatia, joined a roundtable on “Strengthening Domestic Credit Rating Ecosystems to Unlock Corporate Investment in Africa”, convened by in collaboration with AfriCatalyst on Wednesday 7 October.

For many African businesses, access to affordable, long-term finance remains a challenge. Limited financial information and the cost of conventional credit assessments can make it harder for companies to demonstrate their creditworthiness – and for investors to assess opportunities with confidence.

In her welcome remarks, Ms Bhatia highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic credit rating ecosystems alongside efforts to improve sovereign credit ratings. She also noted the progress of the UNDP-led Africa Credit Ratings Initiative, supported by the Government of Japan, which since its launch in 2024 has engaged more than 20 African countries and trained more than 400 government officials.

The roundtable brought together credit rating agencies, companies, financial institutions, regulators, government representatives, investors and development partners to explore how better data, comparability and technology can expand access to credible corporate risk information while maintaining analytical quality and independence.

Stronger credit-risk information can help build confidence, reduce information gaps and connect more African companies with the capital they need to grow.

07/10/2026

UNDP Mauritius warmly welcomes Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Under Secretary General & Special Adviser on Africa, to Mauritius 🇲🇺.

During her four-day mission, Ms. Eziakonwa will engage with Government and development partners and visit UN-supported projects across Mauritius. Taking place in the context of the launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), the visit provides an opportunity for dialogue on Africa's development priorities, economic resilience and sustainable growth 🌍

Alka Bhatia
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
United Nations in Mauritius and Seychelles
UNDP Africa

06/10/2026

Strengthening collaboration for an inclusive and future-ready education sector

The UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Alka Bhatia, paid a courtesy call on Dr the Honourable Mahen Gundapersad, PDSM, Minister of Education and Human Resource, on Monday 5 October.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss avenues for collaboration to support a more robust, inclusive and modern education sector in Mauritius - one that responds to evolving needs and ensures that no one is left behind.

Discussions highlighted the importance of a shared vision and a multi-faceted approach, bringing together government, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen the education sector and advance its mandate to the people it serves.

Ms Bhatia was accompanied by Ms Renooka Beejan, Head of the Socio-economic Development Unit, and Ms Vichittra Purdassee, Digital Portfolio Manager, .

06/10/2026

🔴 The 2nd Africa Annual Conference on Credit Ratings, held in Mauritius on 5-6 October, brought together policymakers, financial experts and development partners to discuss how credit ratings influence access to finance and the cost of development across Africa.

As African countries continue to explore ways to mobilize sustainable development financing, these discussions are becoming increasingly important. UNDP's new handbook, 'Making Sense of Sovereign Credit Ratings', provides practical guidance to help African Governments better understand and engage with sovereign credit rating processes.
Learn more👇
https://www.undp.org/africa/credit-ratings-resource-platform/publications/making-sense-sovereign-credit-ratings-practical-handbook-african-policymakers

28/09/2026

💼 Strengthening Career Management Skills for UN Volunteers in Mauritius and Seychelles

Ten UN Volunteers serving across Mauritius and Seychelles came together on 24 and 25 September for a Capacity Development Learning Facility (CDLF) workshop focused on Career Management, as part of .

Organised by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Indian Ocean Multi-Country Field Unit, the programme provided a valuable opportunity for peer learning, reflection and professional growth. This workshop formed part of UNV's broader learning portfolio, which equips volunteers with the skills and competencies needed to maximize their contributions during and beyond their assignments.

Learn more 👇
https://www.undp.org/mauritius-seychelles/news/strengthening-career-management-skills-un-volunteers-mauritius-and-seychelles

United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
UNDP Africa
Alka Bhatia
UN Volunteers
Programme VNU Océan Indien: Madagascar, Comores, Maurice et Seychelles