Dominican Republic renews call for UNESCO to declare sargassum a regional environmental emergency

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO has once again called on the international community to recognize the growing sargassum invasion in the Caribbean as an environmental, economic, and public health emergency.

Speaking at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), Ambassador Larissa Veloz emphasized that sargassum is no longer a seasonal issue, but a permanent and escalating crisis. She warned that some coastal areas in the Caribbean now face over one million tons of the invasive macroalgae, which threatens marine biodiversity, human health, and key industries like tourism and fishing.

The Dominican delegation urged UNESCO to prioritize sargassum as a topic of scientific research, international collaboration, and coordinated multilateral action. They also outlined national efforts underway to combat the issue, including the protection of 30% of marine territory, a national sustainable ocean management strategy, an open oceanographic data platform, and the development of climate-resilient coastal infrastructure.

The statement concluded with a strong appeal for global solidarity, funding, and enhanced technical cooperation, asserting that UNESCO’s IOC is well-positioned to lead an urgent and science-based regional response to the sargassum crisis affecting the Caribbean.