The Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius hosted his first Europe Day reception in Mauritius on 9 May 2024 in the presence of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Vice-President and over a hundred distinguished guests from the public sector, the private sector, civil society. A number of Erasmus + alumni students and members of the EU-Mauritius Youth Forum also attended the event.

The reception took place at L’ Aventure du Sucre, a museum dedicated to the history of the sugar sector in Mauritius, symbol of the origin of the EU-Mauritius partnership, which started with the Sugar Protocol under the Lomé convention some 50 years ago.

A key objective of the event was to provide guests with a glimpse of the EU action in Mauritius in four areas : Sustainable Economy, Social Development, Nature and Climate and Security. Guests had the opportunity to discover an exhibition dedicated to 10 cooperation projects supported by the EU.  

Two beneficiaries of the EU action gave live testimonials at the reception, namely a member of the EU-Mauritius Youth Forum and the director of a non-government organisation involved in biodiversity protection.

The event also served to highlight the importance of cultural exchange between the EU and Mauritius. The Ambassador unveiled a painting by Joshila Dhaby, a Mauritian artist depicting yellow stars as a recognition of the EU flag, the Mauritius Kestrel for the rich biodiversity of the island and mangroves to highlight their crucial role in the country’s ecosystem. An original orchestral musical composition, by Sébastien Domingue, marrying two classics from the EU and Mauritius was also played during the reception as a symbol of the EU-Mauritius partnership.