ACS Strengthens Regional Collaboration on Sargassum Management in Guadeloupe

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - April 17, 2025 - The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the sargassum crisis in the Greater Caribbean region through active participation in the International Sargassum Sequence held in Guadeloupe from March 26-28, 2025.

Her Excellency, Ambassador Noemí Espinoza Madrid, Secretary General of the ACS, delivered a compelling virtual address emphasizing the critical importance of regional cooperation in tackling the sargassum issue. Her remote intervention underscored the ACS's dedication to fostering collaboration across borders, even in the face of logistical challenges.

The event marked the official launch of the Steering Committee for the SARGCOOP II programme, aimed at strengthening technical cooperation on sargassum management. The ACS supported the presentation of an ECLAC study on integrative approaches to natural resource management in Caribbean SIDS and participated in discussions on implementing a Caribbean Air Quality Monitoring Network to address health impacts of sargassum inundations.

A key highlight of the conference was the ACS's presentation of its initiative to establish a Sargassum Sub-Commission by the Officer in Charge of the Directorate for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable tourism, Caribbean Sea and the Environment, Adeline Raphael. This groundbreaking proposal aligns with the Caribbean Sea Commission's vision for sustainable development and represents a significant step towards a coordinated regional approach to the sargassum crisis. The Sub-Commission aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, promote research, and develop unified strategies for sargassum management across the Caribbean.

"The Sargassum Sub-Commission initiative demonstrates our commitment to finding innovative, collaborative solutions to this pressing environmental challenge," said Ambassador Espinoza Madrid in her virtual address. "By working together, we can turn this crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth and protection of our precious marine ecosystems."

The event concluded with a technical preparatory meeting for the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, further solidifying the ACS's leadership role in regional marine governance.