OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, addressing the second European Union-Caribbean Global Gateway conference on sargassum.
The Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Didacus Jules, reiterated Tuesday the need for a collective approach to dealing with the sargassum situation in the Caribbean.
Addressing the opening of the two-day second European Union-Caribbean Global Gateway conference on Sargassum, Jules said there have been too many conferences and that now is the time for action.
“We are here because sargassum, as we know, a problem that has beset our shores for over a decade, demands our collective action,” Jules told the opening ceremony of the conference that is being held under the theme “Turning the Tide: Sustainable Practices and Economic Opportunities for Sargassum in the Caribbean Basin.”
It threatens our coastal communities, undermines public health, and places enormous pressure on our government’s resources. Yet, it is also more than a threat. It is a call to action, an opportunity to shift from crisis management to innovation, sustainability, and economic transformation. It is an opportunity that will impact every country in the Caribbean Basin, so we must act decisively.
Jules told the conference, which is an initiative under Global Gateway, the European Union’s strategy to boost investments that generate smart, clean, and secure value chains worldwide, that the real success of this event will be measured not by the conversations held but by the actions taken.
“So, as we begin this critical dialogue, I challenge each of us to focus on action. We must leave here with ideas and discussions and concrete plans and commitments. Let us commit to building partnerships that can bring together government, industry, academia, and local communities,” Jules said.
Jules told the conference that Sargassum is not just a natural phenomenon but a recurring one, exacerbated by global environmental shifts.
“We have seen it affecting our fishing industries, disrupting tourism, and stretching our public services thin as we go to clean up our beaches. The sheer scale of the problem, hundreds of thousands of tons of seaweed washing ashore annually, is staggering, but we resolve to see it differently today.
“What if, as has been said, we can turn the tide on Sargassum and convert it into an asset? This is not a far-off dream. It is within our grasp. Some of our member states, partners, and innovators have already been exploring how to transform Sargassum into products that generate revenue and create jobs.
Jules said that these initiatives point to the way forward, but these efforts need to be accelerated and expanded.
“Our task today is to ensure that we move beyond isolated projects and develop a coordinated, scalable, and sustainable response. Our challenge is to transform the narrative of Sargassum from one of burden to one of opportunity, which requires a bold, three-prong approach.
“First, we must invest in research and development. While the economic potential of Sargassum is real, there’s still much that we need to understand about how to harness it safely and effectively; from its variable chemical composition to its heavy metal content, we need to ensure that Sargassum can be valorized in a way that protects both the environment and human health.
Jules said that research institutions within the region and beyond are already exploring Sargassum’s potential as a resource for biofuels, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and even building materials. Still, more investment is needed to scale these solutions.
“This conference will help us to connect those dots between innovators and investors, and I urge us to commit to expanding these networks,” he said, adding the need for an enabling policy environment.
“Our governments have already made strides in developing national strategies to address Sargassum, but we must now take this further together. Therefore, we need regional policies that support establishing a sustainable sargassum industry.
“This means creating frameworks that encourage public-private partnerships, incentivize investment in processing technologies, and streamline the regulatory requirements for sargassum-based products.
Jules said that the region could and should become a global leader in Sargassum, but we will only achieve this by aligning our policies with our ambitions.
He told the conference that regional cooperation is needed as Sargassum knows no boundaries, and neither should the response.
“It was the American poet Robert Frost who was said in his poem mending fences, and I quote that good neighbors make good fences, but the Caribbean Sea that we share has no fences, and nature makes a fiction of our maritime boundaries. The influxes we face require national efforts and a coordinated regional strategy.
“We must work together on forecasting, collection, storage, and processing. This is more than just a matter of efficiency. It is also a matter of fairness. In our case, strong cooperation makes good neighbors. Some countries are more severely impacted than others, and the burden of dealing with Sargassum should not fall disproportionately on any one state.
By sharing resources, knowledge, and technology, we can ensure that all countries in the Caribbean Basin are equipped to handle the challenge. In this regard, the European Union’s Global Gateway Initiative is a crucial partner.
Jules said that the EU has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting the region through funding, collaboration, and shared learning.
This conference is a testament to this, and I hope we leave here with even stronger ties between the Caribbean and the EU in our joint efforts to tackle this issue. But make no mistake, this is not just a matter of governments and institutions. The private sector has a vital role to play.
He said many of those present here represent industries already experimenting with innovative uses for Sargassum, from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals to energy production and agriculture.
“Your creativity, your risk-taking, and your investment are what will ultimately drive the success of this endeavor,” Jules said, adding, “I urge you to see yourselves as part of a larger ecosystem, one where your success contributes not only to your bottom line but to the resilience and sustainability of our entire region.
“We are also mindful of the communities that bear the brunt of sargassum influxes. Fishermen, coastal businesses, and local residents have all been impacted. As we develop solutions, we must ensure that they are inclusive, taking into account the needs and voices of those most affected.
“This is not just about creating high-tech solutions in labs; it is about building resilient communities and economies from the ground up. The time for action is now.
Conclusion:
The conference will explore a range of solutions over the next two days, from policy frameworks and investment strategies to scientific innovations and business models. It is a critical moment for the Caribbean region to come together and find innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions to address the sargassum crisis.
FAQs:
Q: What is sargassum?
A: Sargassum is a type of seaweed that has been impacting the Caribbean region for over a decade.
Q: What are the impacts of sargassum on the region?
A: Sargassum is affecting the region’s coastal communities, undermining public health, and placing enormous pressure on government resources.
Q: What is the purpose of the conference?
A: The conference aims to bring together government, industry, academia, and local communities to find innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions to address the sargassum crisis.
Q: Who is leading the conference?
A: The conference is being led by Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).