At the 3rd EU–Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum, held on October 8, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium, Honourable Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, delivered a compelling address advocating for inclusive, community-driven strategies to address the persistent sargassum crisis in the Caribbean. Minister James emphasized that sustainable solutions must transcend technical innovation and financial investment, focusing instead on social inclusion and community empowerment. She highlighted the critical role of women, youth, and coastal communities in shaping effective sargassum management strategies, ensuring equitable benefits within the emerging blue-green economy. Minister James asserted, ‘The sargassum crisis is not just an environmental challenge; it is a litmus test for the inclusivity of our development pathways.’ She outlined Grenada’s pioneering efforts to transform sargassum into high-value products such as fertilizers, bioenergy, and construction materials, creating employment and strengthening local livelihoods. Minister James also called for enhanced regional collaboration and international support, urging the EU–LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) to prioritize equity, innovation, and capacity-building in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Her intervention underscored Grenada’s leadership in fostering climate resilience and sustainable development across the Caribbean.
James champions people-centred approaches to Caribbean sargassum challenge
