Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between Seychelles and the Russian Academy of Sciences

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Seychelles has formalised a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) with the Rescue Archaeology Center of the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, marking an important milestone in international cultural collaboration.

The agreement was signed by Minister Amanda Bernstein and Dr. Natalia F. Solovieva, Director of the Rescue Archaeology Center, in the presence of distinguished representatives including Mr. Aleksandr Odoevskii, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Seychelles; Mr. Farit Muhametshin, Counsellor to the President of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia and Muslim World”; and Mr. Airat Ahmetov. Also in attendance were Minister for Industry and Enterprise, Ms. Geralda Desaubin, and Minister for Youth and Sport, Ms. Kalsey Belle.

This Memorandum establishes a structured framework for cooperation in key areas of cultural heritage preservation, including archaeology, conservation, research, and heritage management.

Through this partnership, Seychelles stands to benefit from:

• Technical support for the Venn’s Town UNESCO World Heritage nomination, including site mapping and strengthened scientific documentation

• Access to international expertise in archaeology, restoration, and heritage conservation

• Capacity-building opportunities, including specialised training programmes and professional exchanges for Seychellois experts

• Development of a digital heritage platform to enhance documentation, visibility, and accessibility of cultural sites

• Comprehensive national heritage mapping and documentation, enabling the identification, protection, and preservation of significant sites across both the inner and outer islands.

The cooperation will also contribute to strengthening cultural diplomacy between Seychelles and the Russian Federation through joint research initiatives, exchanges, and international collaboration.

This agreement represents a strategic step towards safeguarding Seychelles’ cultural heritage, enhancing national expertise, and positioning the country more prominently within the global heritage community.