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32 | STRENGTHENING OCEAN GOVERNANCE - UNOC 2025

A COALITION CHAMPIONING SEAWEED
Seaweed: the road

to UNOC 2025

The Global Seaweed Coalition organised a high-level think

tank session in partnership with The Earthshot Prize and
the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco to identify the main

seaweed-related commitments to be secured in the run-up
to UNOC 2025.

Previously at Monaco Ocean Week, the Global DRIVING CHANGE
Seaweed Coalition focused on raising public
awareness of the potential and benefits of the Discussions focused on the key drivers of sustainable
nascent seaweed industry. This year, the coalition, growth in the seaweed industry, as well as how
which operates under the auspices of the UN Global they can increase the positive impact of algae on
Compact, wants to move beyond advocacy to action ocean health and climate change. Seaweed offers
and commitments. Motivating this, of course, is the sustainable alternatives to many products. From
third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), scheduled to the fashion industry to food and packaging, sector
take place in Nice in June 2025. stakeholders have the power to drive change by
adopting sustainable, seaweed-based alternatives
To lay the groundwork for this pivotal moment, a newly in their supply chains. Companies can also reduce
launched working group met at the Oceanographic their environmental footprint by substituting carbon-
Museum on 21 March 2024 to identify and unlock intensive or plastic-based materials and ingredients
seaweed opportunities and leverage next year’s with seaweed replacements.
UNOC to secure concrete, sustainable action that
will boost the sector on its upward trajectory. The “Just as seaweed needs an entire ecosystem to grow
participating experts explored a variety of avenues, and live, our research and financing work is done as
including commitments by companies, public, private a team”, explained Vincent Doumeizel, Senior Advisor
and blended financing, state support for the green on Oceans to the UN Global Compact. He added that
transition, investments from asset managers and cooperation and collective action are essential if we
support from the general public. are to generate positive change for the ocean and
meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

© Ethan Daniels