UN launches Global Seaweed Initiative
Since our inception, Câr-y-Môr has been championing seaweed farming as a way to: promote biodiversity; protect coastal livelihoods; naturally boost soil health; produce a versatile, Welsh-grown crop with multiple applications; and create a sustainable food source with high nutritional value.
We’re doing all we can to connect the sea, the soil and the food on our tables for the benefit of future generations.
You can therefore imagine our excitement when we watched seaweed being given an international voice at the recent 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA 80).
The UNGA 80 in New York saw the launch of the first United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI), a new global platform to unite UN agencies and countries to:
“Unlock seaweed’s potential for climate action, food security, and ocean sustainability”.
This initiative feels like a critical moment for seaweed. Here’s why...
What is the background of the UN’s seaweed initiative?
Ahead of the launch of the UNGSI, partners recognised that “seaweed offers an array of benefits for people and the planet, including contributing to food and nutrition security in diverse ways, providing significant opportunities for economic value-addition, diversification into non-food sectors, improved ecosystem services, and enhanced livelihoods for millions of small-scale producers and especially for coastal communities and for women”.
They noted, as we have at Câr-y-Môr, that there are multiple uses to be harnessed from the growing of seaweed, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed and as a fertiliser alternative on land.
And like we’ve seen through our partnerships with businesses such as Notpla and Plantsea, seaweed can be used to create an alternative to plastic.
What is the global context for the seaweed sector?
In the past two decades the global seaweed sector has tripled in size and doubled in value. The UNGSI noted that it reached more than 35 million tonnes in 2022 and over $1.2 billion in exports in 2023.
What challenges does the seaweed sector face?
The UNGSI was formed out of recognition that the seaweed sector faces a number of challenges. Namely that “the sector remains under-supported, facing fragmented regulation and lacking the governance, standards, and coordination needed to fully realize its potential”.
How will the UNGSI support the seaweed sector?
“It will serve as a global platform for cooperation, bringing together Member States, UN entities, research institutions, civil society, and industry stakeholders. It will strengthen policy leadership, foster scientific research and innovation, build technical capacity in producer countries, and raise awareness of seaweed’s role in achieving the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Who has led the formation of the UNGSI?
The initiative has been spearheaded by Madagascar, France, and Indonesia. Chile joined the partnership at UNGA 80, while Brazil expressed strong support ahead of COP30 in Belém.
The launch was chaired by H.E. Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante, Madagascar’s Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy.
What happened at the launch of the UNGSI?
At the official launch on the 25th September 2025, much was covered during the hour-long event in New York:
· Madagascar’s Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy noted seaweed’s transformative potential. He described it as a resource that nourishes communities, restores ecosystems, and drives inclusive economic growth.
· Indonesia emphasised seaweed’s role as a catalyst for millions who depend on the sea.
· Chile looked ahead to the 4th UN Ocean Conference in 2028, declaring that the journey had begun and that UNOC4 would be a milestone of achievements.
· Brazil, preparing to host COP30 in November, underscored the urgency of implementation, highlighting seaweed’s role in climate solutions and the livelihoods of two million Brazilian fishers — a microcosm of millions more around the world vulnerable to climate change.
· UNCTAD stressed the need for robust trade frameworks and global standards to integrate seaweed into international markets.
· UNIDO highlighted seaweed’s dual role as an environmental solution and economic opportunity, urging private sector innovation supported by enabling public policies.
· UNGC called for sustainable approaches, warning against the pitfalls of monoculture and highlighted the need to involve the private sector.
· Global Seaweed Coalition pledged to mobilize its international community to advance funding, science, advocacy, and policy.
· CNRS reaffirmed its support for fundamental research to address biosecurity risks, invasive species, and genetic pollution, and endorsed the creation of regional research centers to drive a sustainable seaweed sector.
Câr-y-Môr’s take on the UNGSI…
In the few short years since Câr-y-Môr was founded, we’ve been overwhelmed by what we’ve witnessed with seaweed.
It’s fair to say, based upon the evidence we’ve gathered, the potential for kelp is huge.
Efforts to “unlock” this potential at a level as significant and influential as the United Nations could be the catalyst that transforms the sector into a global powerhouse for people and planet.
During the launch of the UNGSI, we were buoyed to hear that “since UNOC3 – many more countries have asked to join the Seaweed Coalition” and that others around the world have also seen that “seaweed farming is a true champion for prosperity”.
Many noted the huge impact that seaweed can have in supporting coastal communities. And from what we’ve seen at Câr-y-Môr, community backing is everything.
We believe that it’s vital that seaweed initiatives around the world do everything they can to bring their communities along with them; inspiring their young people, bringing jobs and economic opportunities to coastal areas, and supporting people and nature to thrive within their own habitats.
Like the UNGSI, we now want to see a clear framework so investors can get behind the seaweed industry, as well as advancing regulatory bodies and compliance. The sector is currently “under-supported and lacks the necessary coordination, standardisation, and dedicated governance for it to expand globally and to fully contribute to the SDGs”.
So we look to the UNGSI with hope that it will be the sea change for us, and those like us, who dream of a thriving global seaweed sector.
What can you do to support the seaweed sector?
At Câr-y-Môr, we’ve been advocating for the seaweed sector since 2019. If you’d like to join our community, here are a few ways you can get involved:
· Join us as a Member for £1 - we’ve put our membership price at just £1 to make it as inclusive as possible. Becoming a Câr-y-Môr means you’ll receive updates, offers, and exclusive discounts, as well as having your say in how we operate at our AGM.
· Introduce us to a new partner - outreach and networking to create new partnerships are a huge part of what we do. Perhaps you know a farmer who’d like to trial seaweed-biostimulant on their land? Is there an educator in your network who could inspire students with the story of Wales’ first sea farm? Could your favourite restaurant use our Welsh seafood and seaweed on their menu? Or are you part of a group who would like to hear from a Câr-y-Môr guest speaker? If so, please do get in touch.
· Volunteer your time with us – whether you fancy putting a few licks of paint on the walls of our new processing hub; taking photos of our team at work for marketing purposes; or volunteering your time remotely with computer-based support; volunteers are vital to the success of Câr-y-Môr and we are incredibly appreciative of any help, no matter how big or small.
· Follow and share our story – we want to reach as many people around the world as we possibly can, sharing our data and research that proves the potential of seaweed. Please join our online communities on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn; and encourage your network to follow the story of Wales’ first regenerative sea farm.
· Invest in Câr-y-Môr – to scale our operation we’re seeking green investment. Whether you invest £200 which can help us with an oyster restoration project we’re supporting, or £5k to add a new 100m line of seaweed to our sea farm; financial backing at this critical stage for Câr-y-Môr is of enormous value to our community benefit society.