The Dominican Republic will host the Wider Caribbean – EU Regional Conference: Turning Sargasso into an Opportunity, to be held on June 15, which will bring together the highest authorities, experts from the public and private sectors, academia, NGOs from the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe.
The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, aims to exchange information on how to mitigate or use sargassum for the benefit of the entire region. The conference will address the impact and risks of sargassum, its monitoring and management, its valorization and use, with a view to fostering public policies, regional frameworks and strengthening cooperation to boost private sector investment.
Although under normal climatic conditions, this seaweed forms a valuable ecosystem, supporting oceanic food webs and providing refuge for endemic species, the uncontrolled increase of its massive blooms has become a threat to the environment, the economy and public health.
This conference hopes to mark a milestone to awaken greater interest in the sargassum phenomenon at the regional level and together we can seek viable solutions to mitigate its impact on Caribbean countries.
The meeting will be attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Alvarez; the European Union Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Katja Afheldt and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Miguel Ceara Hatton.
Also present will be the ministers of Environment, Tourism and Economy of the region.
Source: Elnuevodiario.com.do
