stluciatimes, caribbean, caribbeannews, stlucia, saintlucia, stlucianews, saintlucianews, stluciatimesnews, saintluciatimes, stlucianewsonline, saintlucianewsonline, st lucia news online, stlucia news online, loop news, loopnewsbarbados

Grenada Conference Explores Sargassum Economic Opportunities

The 2nd EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum, held in Grenada, wrapped up with a renewed commitment to collect the invasive seaweed before it reaches shore, with the aim of creating sustainable value chains.

The two-day conference, themed “Turning the Tide: Sustainable Practices and Economic Opportunities for Sargassum in the Caribbean Basin,” attracted over 400 stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector.

It aimed to address the socio-economic impacts of Sargassum, which has significantly affected tourism and fisheries in the region.

Co-chaired by Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules, and EU Commission’s Mr. Felix Fernandez-Shaw, the conference brought together Caribbean leaders to address this pressing environmental issue.

During a High-Level Forum, participants underscored the urgency of transforming Sargassum from a problem into an economic opportunity.

“This includes catalysing research and innovation in a common space, promoting public private partnerships and enhancing predictability and forecasting on the availability of Sargassum supply,” emphasised Fernandez-Shaw.

The forum also encouraged the development of national strategies for collecting and processing Sargassum, calling for a harmonised approach across the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Mitchell declared his goal to initiate offshore collection of Sargassum by 2026.

“The Government of Grenada and the European Union will convene a project team in Grenada before the end of 2024… to support Grenada in collecting, storing, and processing fresh Sargassum offshore by 2026,” he stated.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen noted the potential for a circular economy: “Developing Sargassum value chains can help address an environmental problem while creating jobs and growth in the Caribbean.”

The event was part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, focusing on investment strategies that foster sustainable economic development across the region.

Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate. St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

TRENDING

Subscribe to our St. Lucia Times Newsletter

Get our headlines emailed to you every day.

Subscribe to our St. Lucia Times Newsletter

Get our headlines emailed to you every day.

Share via
Send this to a friend