The Government of Grenada, in collaboration with the European Union (EU), hosted the Second EU–Grenada Sargassum Task Force Meeting on 15 May 2025, at the True Blue Bay Resort Conference Room.
The high-level gathering brought together key development partners, financial institutions, and government stakeholders via hybrid format to strengthen a coordinated response to the escalating sargassum challenge facing the Caribbean region.
In her opening remarks, Hon. Kerryne James, Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, underscored the urgency of the issue. “The recurring influx of sargassum is more than an environmental concern. It is an urgent socio-economic and public health issue that threatens livelihoods, ecosystems, and key sectors such as tourism and fisheries,” Minister James said. “Today marks another important milestone in building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable sargassum value chain, one that supports local enterprise, protects our coastal environment, and delivers real economic benefits to our people.”
The meeting featured virtual remarks from Latin American and Caribbean Director of the EU International Partnerships DG Félix Fernandez-Shaw, and in-person contributions from David Mogollon, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation. Both reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to supporting Grenada and other Caribbean nations through innovative, climate-resilient development solutions.
Permanent Secretary Peron Johnson of the Ministry for Climate Resilience also delivered a key intervention, stressing the importance of linking the dialogue to concrete deliverables. “It is essential that the outcomes of this process move beyond discussion,” said PS Johnson. “We are committed to ensuring that the investment concepts are shaped into implementable, bankable projects with clear timelines and shared accountability. Our focus is on results; on projects that tangibly improve lives and build resilience in coastal communities.”
Key outcomes from the meeting included:
- A comprehensive review of Grenada’s shortlisted investment proposals and financial needs across the sargassum value chain
- Preliminary insights from the EU on financial viability and the co-financing potential of the project pipeline
- Structured partner discussions involving the EIB, EDFI, IDB, World Bank, IFC, CAF, GIZ, Expertise France/AFD, ITC and others, aimed at aligning funding instruments and identifying scalable, high-impact interventions
The Government of Grenada reaffirmed its commitment to:
- finalising its financial contribution to catalyse co-investment
- advancing enabling policy reforms to support sargassum value chain development
- empowering MSMEs and youth-led coastal enterprises through targeted capacity-building
- institutionalising mechanisms to ensure long-term ownership and implementation of developed solutions
The session concluded with a renewed call to action and a shared commitment to maintain momentum in the coming weeks. Stakeholders agreed on the importance of translating insights into implementable strategies ahead of upcoming milestones, including the EU–Global Gateway Forum and the 3rd EU–Caribbean Sargassum Conference in October 2025.
Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy
Increased floating mats of Sargassum offer opportunity for Grenada and other islands. Apart from the obvious of fertilizer use other countries have found that it is edible and can be used to make a type of leather and paper etc. I look forward to hearing the ideas of this Task Force. https://youtu.be/__ch9O8YhjI?si=iyP9jKBAls9olDa2
A comprehensive review of Grenada’s shortlisted investment proposals and financial needs across the sargassum value chain. Word r Sargassum salad which means absolutely nothing. But the begging bowl will be out PDQ