News

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – May 13, 2025 – The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) participated in the Regional Blue Talk: Latin America and the Caribbean On the Road to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC). H.E. Noemí Espinoza Madrid, Secretary-General of the ACS, was a featured speaker and delivered a presentation on ACS contribution to sustainable fisheries and Ocean Governance.

This event was organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in collaboration with the Governments of Costa Rica and France, and brought together experts, government representatives, and key stakeholders to identify regional and subregional priorities, specificities, and challenges, share experiences, and formulate recommendations that contribute to building a shared regional perspective.

During the Blue Talk Panel, Secretary-General Espinoza emphasized the ACS's unique role as the only regional intergovernmental body with a formal mandate for marine governance in the Greater Caribbean, highlighting the upcoming launch of the Sargassum Sub-Commission and the development of a Regional Action Plan.

Secretary-General Espinoza addressed the challenge of fragmented governance hindering coherent action, and she called for increased South-South cooperation, inclusive governance, and technology transfer to bolster regional resilience. She also underscored the existential threat faced by small-scale fisheries, which constitute 60% of total fishers in many ACS Member States, due to climate disruption, marine pollution, and increasing sargassum influxes

Looking ahead, the ACS will continue to champion the cause of sustainable fisheries in the Greater Caribbean on the international stage. A key focus will be advocating at the UNOC General Assembly for greater recognition of how sargassum influxes negatively impact the region's fisheries potential, pushing for collaborative solutions and increased support for the affected communities.