UN Global Seaweed Initiative

NOTE: My original scientific training was as a specialist on seaweeds, so I was excited to see that this long-neglected resource has now become a priority at the United Nations - Arthur Dahl.

Madagascar, Indonesia, France, UN entities and Global Seaweed Coalition announce support for the creation of a UN Global Seaweed Initiative at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, Nice, France.

A coalition of governments, UN entities, and partners has announced the development of a United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI) — a collaborative platform to promote global efforts for safe and sustainable development of the seaweed sector supported by science.

The Republic of Madagascar, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Republic of France are the founding member states, joined by the Global Seaweed Coalition, and with the support of United Nations entities - the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO-IOC).

Seaweed is a transformative resource that has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges of our generation. Used in food, feed and animal care, plant biostimulants, cosmetics and biodegradable packaging, it offers natural alternatives to plastic, oil-based and synthetic chemicals. Seaweed also helps to mitigate climate change by capturing carbon, reducing livestock methane emissions and cleaning ocean waters. It supports marine biodiversity, while providing jobs and revenues to local communities especially important where fishing resources are in decline.

However, the sector remains fragmented, underdeveloped, unregulated and inaccessible to many of those who depend on it – especially women, youth and small-scale producers contributing significantly to seaweed farming, processing, and innovation.

This unique initiative will support the development of global standards, regulations, and traceability, promote innovative value chains in an inclusive way, drive scientific research and technological innovation, ensure the sustainable use of blue carbon ecosystems, mobilize blue finance and capacity building, as well as raise awareness and conduct advocacy.

This initiative is open to others to join and is expected to be officially launched at the UN General Assembly in September 2025 in New York.

SOURCE: https://www.safeseaweedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Press-r…