AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & AI Abuse: Security researchers say attackers are abusing ChatGPT Custom GPTs, using ClickFix-style lures to push malware and RATs to victims. Crypto Security: Seychelles-based Bitget reported a major hot-wallet incident, saying North Korea-linked actors are very likely behind a theft of about $387.5m, with investigators ruling out a private-key compromise. Local Tech/Fintech in Seychelles: WOO X officially launched WOO X EU, built to align with Europe’s MiCA rules, with Payward Services providing custody and infrastructure rails. Maritime & Regional Tech: India’s INS Tarkash arrived in Mombasa for an operational turnaround, with a passage exercise planned with the Kenya Navy. Biodiversity & Research: Nature Seychelles’ coral recovery work is highlighted, using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals, with early results including settlement and growth of around 65,000 young corals. SIDS Leadership: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK presidency through December 2027, with President Patrick Herminie leading discussions on sustainable energy and climate resilience. Governance & Online Safety: UN calls at the General Assembly focus on cross-border online scams, terrorism and trafficking, warning that AI and digital tools can also fuel transnational crime.

Cybersecurity: Bitget, a Seychelles-registered crypto exchange, says unauthorized transfers from hot wallets led to an estimated $351.6m loss and temporarily suspended withdrawals, with CEO Gracy Chen saying user funds are covered by its protection fund. AI Safety & Scams: Researchers warn attackers are abusing ChatGPT Custom GPTs to lure victims via ClickFix-style links and deliver malware/RATs. Local Tech & Connectivity: Uttar Pradesh’s Project GANGA has topped 3,000 DSP applications since June, with broadband rolling out under the GangaFiber brand. Seychelles & Blue Economy: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK presidency through Dec 2027, with President Dr Patrick Herminie pushing sustainable energy and climate resilience. Marine & Research: ICS continues exploring Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, while a coral recovery programme in Seychelles reported early growth of 65,000 young corals. Regional Tech/Trade: WOO X officially launches WOO X EU, built for MiCA-aligned trading with Payward Services support. Maritime: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived in Victoria for a business call. Crypto & Geopolitics: Reports link a major Bitget theft to North Korea’s Lazarus group.

Cybersecurity: Huntress warns attackers are abusing ChatGPT Custom GPTs to lure victims via ClickFix-style links, leading to malware and RAT infections (at least 40 users hit). Seychelles & Crypto Security: Seychelles-based Bitget says unauthorised transfers of about $351.6m hit its hot/warm wallet infrastructure; withdrawals were paused and cold wallets were not affected. Digital Connectivity: Uttar Pradesh’s Project GANGA has topped 3,000 DSP applications since June, with broadband rolling out under the GangaFiber brand. Maritime & Defence: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop made its first port call in Victoria, Seychelles, as cadets continue navigation training. Local Tech/Science: Seychelles seed and planting material security gets attention, focusing on resilient quality systems for imported seed plus local conservation and multiplication. Environment & Biodiversity: ICS continues exploration of Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, including rare tree sightings during 2026 surveys. Regional Leadership: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK presidency through Dec 2027, with President Herminie leading discussions on energy and climate resilience.

Cybersecurity: Threat actors are abusing ChatGPT Custom GPTs to lure victims via ClickFix-style links and deliver malware, with Huntress reporting at least 40 infections after Google Sites redirects. Digital Connectivity: Uttar Pradesh’s Project GANGA has topped 3,000 applications for its GangaFiber broadband rollout, with shortlisted candidates trained and first DSP-led networks starting to connect homes. Crypto Security: Seychelles-based Bitget says unauthorised transfers hit its hot/warm wallets (about $351.6m), withdrawals were temporarily paused, and it claims losses are covered by a User Protection Fund. Local Tech & Trade: WOO X officially launched WOO X EU, built to align with MiCA rules, with Payward Services providing custody and infrastructure rails. Maritime & Regional Links: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived in Victoria for a business call, while India’s INS Tarkash is in Mombasa for an operational turnaround and a passage exercise with Kenya. Environment & Biodiversity: Seychelles continues KBA exploration work on Silhouette, focusing on protecting rare species and key biodiversity hotspots.

Crypto Security in Seychelles: Bitget, a Seychelles-based exchange, says it suffered unauthorised transfers of about $351.6m–$388m from hot/warm wallets, temporarily suspended withdrawals, and insists cold wallets and user balances were unaffected while it investigates with Mandiant and SlowMist. Local Tech & Finance: Baazex (operated by Seychelles-registered BAZ Capital Markets Ltd) expands into Asian trading markets, pitching simpler, more transparent online forex trading under Seychelles FSA licensing. Seychelles Environment & Science: A Seychelles biodiversity push continues with ICS exploring Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, while a separate Seychelles agriculture piece focuses on seed and planting material security for resilient local farming. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK presidency through Dec 2027 under President Dr Patrick Herminie, aiming to boost sustainable energy and climate resilience across small island states. Regional Maritime Cooperation: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrives in Victoria for the first time, as part of a business call and cadet navigation training. Global Tech Policy: UNGA discussions highlight borderless crime and online scams, with calls for coordinated action as AI and digital tools fuel transnational fraud.

Seychelles Leadership: President Dr Patrick Herminie has been elected to lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly’s 10th session through December 2027, pushing sustainable energy and climate resilience for small island states. Ocean & Biodiversity: A Seychelles-linked coral recovery effort is highlighted in an international exhibition, with Nature Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals. Local Agriculture: A Seychelles agriculture piece focuses on seed and planting material security, stressing how to keep imported seeds reliable while strengthening local conservation and multiplication of key planting materials. Cybersecurity (Seychelles-based): Crypto exchange Bitget, registered in Seychelles, says unauthorized transfers of about $351.6m hit its hot/warm wallets; withdrawals were paused and cold wallets were not affected. Maritime Training: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop made its first call to Victoria, Seychelles, as part of a long-distance cadet training deployment. Regional Tech Policy: Turkey and African competition authorities met in Istanbul to discuss cooperation on competition law and policy.

Seychelles Maritime & Security: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop made its first business call to Victoria, with cadets onboard and local Coast Guard participation, underscoring growing naval engagement in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles Environment & Science: Nature Seychelles continues exploring Silhouette’s Key Biodiversity Areas, including rare tree sightings, as part of ongoing work to protect lesser-known species and habitats. SIDS Leadership: President Patrick Herminie was elected to lead the SIDS DOCK Assembly’s Tenth Session, with Seychelles set to hold the presidency through December 2027, focusing on sustainable energy and climate resilience. Ocean Tech & Conservation: A global exhibition in Astana highlights coral science, including Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) Programme using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals. Cyber & Finance (Seychelles-linked): Crypto exchange Bitget, registered in Seychelles, says unauthorized transfers of about $351.6m hit its hot/warm wallets; withdrawals were paused while cold wallets stayed secure. AI & Society: Research suggests popular AI assistants can sound more optimistic about advanced AI than humans, potentially shaping public views as people use them daily.

Seychelles in Global Ocean & Biodiversity: Seychelles is set to take over the SIDS DOCK presidency through December 2027, with President Dr Patrick Herminie leading efforts on sustainable energy and climate resilience. Coral Science in the Spotlight: An international exhibition in Astana highlights coral restoration work linked to Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme, including early results from producing genetically diverse young corals. Crypto Security, Local Impact: Seychelles-based crypto exchange Bitget says it detected unauthorised transfers from hot-wallet infrastructure, temporarily suspended withdrawals, and estimates losses around $351.6m, with cold wallets reported secure. Maritime & Regional Security: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived in Victoria for the first time, while East African states back a regional task force to tackle piracy and sea crimes in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean. Agriculture & Resilience: A Seychelles agriculture focus story looks at seed and planting material security, stressing quality assurance for imported seeds while strengthening local conservation and multiplication. Blue Finance Debate: A new “blue finance” push argues Nigeria needs patient ocean-economy capital to cut oil dependence and tackle fish import pressures.

SIDS DOCK Presidency: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK Assembly presidency through Dec 2027, with President Dr Patrick Herminie leading the Tenth Session and pushing sustainable energy, climate resilience and development for small island states. Blue Economy Finance: Nigeria’s “blue economy” faces a major funding gap, with calls for about $10bn over 10 years to unlock shipping, fisheries, marine tourism, coastal infrastructure, renewables and ocean research. Cybersecurity & Crypto: Seychelles-based Bitget says unauthorised transfers from hot wallets total about $351.6m–$388m; withdrawals were paused, cold wallets were not affected, and the company says losses are covered by its user protection fund while investigations continue. Coral Science in Seychelles: A new exhibition in Astana highlights coral restoration work, including Seychelles’ Assisted Recovery of Coral (ARC) programme, which used sexual reproduction to produce genetically diverse corals and recorded settlement and growth of around 65,000 young corals. UN Tech-Driven Crime: At the UN General Assembly, countries urged stronger cross-border action against online scams and tech-enabled criminal networks, warning that AI and digital innovation can also fuel insecurity. Maritime Training Call: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived in Victoria for the first time as part of a business call, with cadets continuing navigation training. Seychelles & UN Security Council: President Herminie told the UN that Africa should get at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, and flagged threats like illegal fishing and transnational organised crime. Agriculture & Seeds: Seychelles’ seed and planting material security focus highlights the need for resilient systems to protect quality of imported seed while conserving and multiplying locally important planting materials.

SIDS DOCK Leadership: Seychelles takes over the SIDS DOCK presidency through Dec 2027, with President Dr Patrick Herminie elected to lead the Tenth Session and push sustainable energy, climate resilience and development priorities. Cybercrime & Scams: At the UN General Assembly, countries called for coordinated action against online scam centres, terrorism and trafficking networks that exploit cross-border tech and finance. Crypto Security (Seychelles-linked): Seychelles-based exchange Bitget says unauthorised transfers from its hot and warm wallets total about $351.6m, with withdrawals temporarily suspended; Bitget insists cold wallets and user balances are safe, while reports link the theft “very likely” to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. AI & Data Risks: UN discussions also highlighted how AI and digital innovation can fuel insecurity and transnational crime when misused. Coral Science in Seychelles: An international exhibition in Astana spotlights coral restoration work, including Seychelles’ ARC programme using sexual reproduction to grow genetically diverse corals. Maritime Presence: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrives in Victoria for the first time, marking a new port call for Seychelles. Agriculture Resilience: A Seychelles agriculture focus story looks at seed and planting material security, stressing quality systems for imported seeds and local conservation and multiplication.

Crypto Security in Seychelles: Bitget, a Seychelles-based exchange, says unauthorised transfers hit its hot/warm wallets on 24 Sept, with withdrawals temporarily paused; CEO Gracy Chen says user funds are safe and losses are covered by a $464m User Protection Fund, while investigators say there was no private-key compromise and that a backend system was spoofed. Cybercrime Attribution: Chainalysis reports the theft is very likely linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, estimating losses around $388m. Agriculture & Food Security: A Seychelles-focused piece highlights the need for resilient seed and planting-material systems, given most vegetable seeds are imported and local seed production is hard to scale. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: The BBNJ “High Seas Treaty” is framed as a real-world test for ocean protection beyond paper promises, with calls for resources and capacity. Maritime & Regional Links: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived in Victoria for the first time, with crew events and cadet training. Seychelles at the UN: President Patrick Herminie urges Africa to secure at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, and stresses maritime security, illegal fishing, and climate action. Mobility & Tourism Diplomacy: A WION summit session spotlights visa facilitation and digitalisation to boost travel ties, featuring Seychelles’ High Commissioner to India.

Crypto Security in Seychelles: Seychelles-registered exchange Bitget says North Korea is “very likely” behind a $351.6m–$387.5m hack after unauthorized transfers were flagged from hot/warm wallets; withdrawals were paused, cold wallets stayed secure, and Bitget says losses are covered by its $464m User Protection Fund while investigators work with Mandiant and SlowMist. Local Agriculture & Food Security: A Seychelles agriculture piece focuses on seed and planting material security, arguing the priority is a resilient system for quality imported seeds plus stronger conservation, multiplication and distribution of locally important planting materials. Maritime Presence at Victoria: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrived at Seychelles’ Port Victoria for the first time, with cadets onboard and protocol/cultural events planned. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: The High Seas Treaty/BBNJ Agreement is discussed as the “real test” for ocean protection beyond national waters, stressing science capacity and fair sharing of benefits. Energy Access Across Africa: Afrobarometer data shows fewer than half of Africans get reliable grid electricity, with many turning to alternatives like solar—Seychelles is among the highest performers. Seychelles at the UN: President Patrick Herminie urges Africa to secure at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, while highlighting maritime security, illegal fishing and climate impacts. Seychelles–India Tech & Fisheries Links: Seychelles and India explore cooperation across fisheries value-add, agriculture, research, innovation and the wider blue economy, including fish waste and seaweed initiatives.

Crypto Security: Seychelles-registered Bitget says North Korea is “very likely” behind a $387.5m theft, after it detected unauthorized transfers from hot/warm wallets (cold wallets stayed offline) and temporarily suspended withdrawals; Bitget says user funds are safe and losses are covered by its $464m User Protection Fund, with investigations aided by Mandiant and SlowMist. Local Tech & Finance: Baazex (operated by Seychelles’ BAZ Capital Markets Ltd) expands into Asian trading markets with a “simplicity and transparency” push for online forex and multi-asset trading. Agriculture & Food Systems: A Seychelles-focused piece highlights seed science and planting material security, arguing the priority is resilient quality for imported seeds while strengthening local conservation and multiplication. Maritime & Blue Economy: Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop arrives in Victoria for a first port call, while World Maritime Day prompts debate on whether “blue economy” talk becomes real policy. Seychelles in Global Governance: President Patrick Herminie urges Africa’s permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power and calls for stronger maritime surveillance and intelligence-sharing for island security. Conservation: Kenya’s conservation outlook ranks Seychelles highest in the region for protected land coverage, underscoring how data and mapping drive policy.

Crypto Security: Seychelles-linked exchange Bitget says hackers stole about $351.6m via unauthorised transfers from hot/warm wallets, temporarily freezing withdrawals while deposits and trading continue; Bitget claims the loss is covered by its User Protection Fund (over $464m). Seychelles Agriculture: A new focus on seed science and protecting planting material aims to keep imported vegetable seeds reliable while strengthening local conservation, multiplication and distribution. Seychelles–India Blue Economy: Seychelles seeks deeper ties with India to boost landed tuna revenues and improve post-harvest management, including higher-value products from fish waste and seaweed, plus fisheries data and AI-enabled monitoring. UN Diplomacy: President Patrick Herminie urges Africa to get at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, while also calling for stronger maritime surveillance and support for small states. Regional Energy Reality: An Afrobarometer update shows fewer than half of Africans get reliable grid electricity, with solar used as an alternative—Seychelles ranks among the highest on reliability. Maritime Safety: East Africa backs a regional anti-piracy task force for the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean under the Djibouti Code of Conduct. AI & Education: Stanford plans a course critiquing AI through “African intellectual sovereignty,” targeting “epistemic injustices” and Eurocentric assumptions. Travel Tech & Trade: Baazex (Seychelles-registered) expands into Asian online forex trading with a “simplicity and transparency” pitch, while dnata Travel Group signs 12 partnerships at ATM 2026.

Seychelles–India Tech & Blue Economy: Seychelles is reaching out to India to boost landed tuna revenues and strengthen post-harvest management, with talks on higher-value products from fish-processing residues and seaweed, vessel design standards, onboard training, and using fisheries data plus emerging tech like AI for monitoring, control and surveillance. Ocean Governance: The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) entered into force in January 2026, but the real test now is whether countries fund it, build institutions and scientific capacity, and share ocean science benefits fairly. UN Security Council Reform: President Patrick Herminie told the UN General Assembly that Africa should get at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, and he flagged maritime security threats like illegal fishing, drug trafficking and organised crime. Electricity Access Reality Check: A new Afrobarometer survey says fewer than half of Africans get reliable grid electricity, with rural and poorer households worst hit and many turning to solar. Local Conservation Snapshot: Kenya was ranked eighth in Eastern and Southern Africa for protected land coverage, while Seychelles leads the region with over two-thirds of land protected. Border Tech & Mobility: South Korea’s Smart Entry Gates list of 42 countries excludes all African nations, meaning African travellers still face standard border processing. Online Trading Expansion (Seychelles-linked): Baazex, operated by a Seychelles-registered firm, says it’s expanding into Asian markets with a focus on simpler, more transparent online forex trading. Travel & Visas: At a WION tourism summit, Seychelles’ high commissioner discussed how easier visas and better air links can strengthen tourism and business while keeping security intact.

High Seas Treaty: The BBNJ “High Seas Treaty” entered into force on 17 January 2026, but Seychelles-focused coverage stresses the real test now is turning the paper framework into protection, funding, institutions, and fair ocean-science capacity. Seychelles at the UN: President Patrick Herminie told the UN General Assembly that Africa should get at least two permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power, while also flagging maritime security, illegal fishing, and stronger intelligence-sharing for small states. Ocean pollution in Seychelles: New research highlights how plastic and fishing gear are piling up on Aldabra and Seychelles beaches, with findings pointing to much of the debris likely coming from vessels operating in or near Seychelles waters. Electricity reality check: Afrobarometer data shows fewer than half of Africans get reliable grid power, with Seychelles among the top performers—while Nigeria and several others rank at the bottom. Blue bonds: India’s first “blue bond” under Sagarmala aims to fund ocean projects via capital markets, setting a precedent for long-gestation maritime financing. Forex trading expansion: Seychelles-licensed Baazex says it’s expanding into Asian online forex trading with a focus on simpler, more transparent trading terms. Maritime security push: East African states back a regional anti-piracy task force for the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean under the Djibouti Code of Conduct.