Seaweeds are a powerhouse for advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including those currently under review. By boosting nutrition, enhancing food security, and driving pharmaceutical innovation, seaweeds can significantly improve health outcomes (SDG3). In coastal communities, seaweed farming and processing offer remarkable opportunities for women’s economic empowerment (SDG5). Having tripled from $5 billion in 2000 to $17 billion in 2021, the seaweed market presents a chance for countries to foster sustainable growth, create decent jobs, and support smallholders (SDG8). Seaweeds also play a critical role in mitigating ocean acidification, reducing marine pollution, and preserving marine ecosystems (SDG14).

At UNOC-3, the United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI) was agreed under the leadership of Madagascar, Indonesia, and France, in collaboration with UN agencies, relevant private sector associations, and scientific and civil society actors. The UNGSI will serve as a collaborative platform for developing the seaweed sector in market, regulatory, scientific, financial, capacity building, and advocacy areas. It will be launched at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly as an important step in fostering a global partnership around seaweed and strengthening policy coordination under SDG17. This event will showcase seaweeds’ multifaceted contributions to the SDGs, present the UNGSI as a concrete partnership underway as well as the development of a Seaweed Breakthrough to guide conservation and preservation efforts.

Tentative Agenda:

• Opening
  • Ms. Nichola Dyer, Global Seaweed Coalition, Moderator
• Welcoming remarks
  • Mr. Ike Levine, International Seaweed Association
  • Mr. Juan José Martinez Badillo, Chief UNCTAD, NY office
• Opening keynote
  • Mr. Paubert Mahatante Tsimanaoraty, Minister Fisheries and the Blue Economy or Ms. Lantovololona Felaniaina, Director of Aquaculture department, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Madagascar and founding member state of the UNGSI (tbc)
    Panel presentations on SDGs under review:
• SDG3, Ms. Shakuntala Thilsted, CGIAR, World Food Prize Laureate (tbc)
• SDG5, Ms. Runa Ray, KelpTex / Anoushka Concepcion, Chair, GSC Strategic Advisory Council
• SDG8, Mr. Harrison Charo Karisa, World Bank (tbc)
• SDG14, Ms. Liz Cottier-Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science – confirmed (virtual)
• SDG17, Ms. Chantal Line Carpentier or Mr. David Vivas Eugui, UNCTAD (virtual) / Mr. Jan Matas, CNRS

• Q & A
• Audience contributions
• The road to UNGA and beyond
• Closing by Moderator

Co-organisers: Republic of France, International Seaweed Association, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), World Bank, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Global Seaweed Coalition, French National Research Center (CNRS), Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and Aquatic Blue Food Coalition.

Register through UN Trade and Development’s website