This week in Mauritius, the country, in collaboration with several other Indian Ocean nations, undertook preparations for a potential tsunami alert. The Mauritius Institute of Directors partnered with HSBC to address climate change, and the Pride March returned to Rose-Hill after a two-year hiatus.
Mauritius runs tsunami disaster simulations
Mauritius, alongside 20 other countries in the Indian Ocean region, participated in the IOWAVE 23 exercise to assess and enhance their tsunami warning systems. The simulated scenario involved an earthquake in Indonesia, which could potentially trigger an 11-meter-high tsunami, posing a threat to the coastlines of Rodrigues, St-Brandon, and Mauritius. The National Emergency Command (NEOC) and various agencies were activated to coordinate the response, and the public was alerted through a mobile app. Municipalities and district councils coordinated evacuations in vulnerable areas, including Quatre-Soeurs and Rivière-des-Galets in Mauritius, and Graviers and Pointe-Coton in Rodrigues. The primary goal of the exercise was to maintain a high level of readiness in case of a real tsunami.
The private sector against climate change
In response to the escalating threat of climate change and the urgent need for action, the Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIoD) has joined forces with HSBC Bank to launch the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) Mauritius. This initiative aims to engage boards of directors in Mauritian companies to tackle the strategic challenges posed by climate change, including the transition to net-zero emissions by 2030. CGI Mauritius will organize various activities, forums, training sessions, and networking events to bolster the climate governance skills of corporate directors. A steering committee, supported by an advisory board, will oversee the initiative, and Non-Executive Directors have committed to advocating for climate governance on their boards, aligning strategies with scientific recommendations to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Pride march makes a triumphant return after two years
Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pride March made a joyous comeback. Organized by the Collectif Arc-en-ciel (CAEC) under the theme "Together Always: United in Diversity," the Pride March took place in Rose-Hill over the weekend. The event celebrated the historic decision by the Supreme Court to declare Article 250 of the Penal Code unconstitutional. This law, dating back to 1838, had criminalized consensual same-sex relationships. In a festive atmosphere, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies paraded through the streets of Rose-Hill, from the Plaza to Place Margéot, holding placards with messages of peace and love. Despite a strong police presence, the march aimed to promote respect for the community's rights and challenge the taboos that surround it.
