Seaweed and aquatic foods are emerging as powerful nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis, enhance food security, and support sustainable livelihoods. This event explores pathways for sustainable aquatic food and non-food uses (e.g. cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomaterials & biofuels) through FAO’s Blue Transformation and the UN Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI), showcasing how aquatic systems can drive climate-resilient, low-emission, and nature-positive solutions for food, product development and livelihoods.
Objectives
As part of the COP30 Action Agenda, this workshop on Action Agenda Key Objective 9: “more resilient, adaptive, and sustainable food systems”, this event will spotlight: 1) the Plan on Aquatic blue foods to Accelerate the Multiple Benefits of Algae Aquaculture, developed by members of the United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI) and 2) the Plan to Accelerate Aquatic Food Systems as Climate Solutions developed by FAO and partners.
The event will also highlight the role of aquatic food systems in climate resilience and sustainable development and encourage new Member States to join the UNGSI and commit to advancing seaweed-based climate solutions.
Expected outcomes
- Showcasing sustainable aquatic food systems and algae development as integral components of global climate discussions, marked by national commitments and inclusion in Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0 and National Adaptation Plans.
- Launch of practical tools and data, new collaboration opportunities, production, trade, investments, and partnerships, under Blue Transformation and the UNGSI platform.
- Commitments to scale up implementation of aquatic foods and algae-related climate solutions, in alignment with the Plans to Accelerate Solutions submitted by FAO and UNCTAD on behalf of the UNGSI.
Partners
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Industrial Development Agency (UNIDO), United Nations Global Compact, UNESCO-IOC, Brazil Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Aquatic Blue Food Coalition (ABFC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Global Seaweed Coalition (GSC), Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), WorldFish, European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD)