The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), led Ghana's delegation to the inaugural Annual Meeting of the United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI), held from 29th 30th June 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting brought together governments, international organizations, development partners and industry leaders to explore how sustainable seaweed value chains can contribute to climate action, biodiversity conservation, food security, livelihoods and international trade.

 

During the opening high-level session, Hon. Emelia Arthur joined fellow ministers and senior officials to share Ghana's vision for developing a sustainable and competitive blue economy. She highlighted Government’s recognition of the significant potential of the seaweed sector to create decent jobs, particularly for coastal communities, women and young people, while diversifying incomes for artisanal fishers. Seaweed offers opportunities to restore marine ecosystems, improve water quality, sequester carbon, and provide sustainable raw materials for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, animal feed and biofertilizer industries. Government is expected to step up efforts to develop this emerging sector, to strengthen climate resilience, promote value addition, attract investment, expand exports, and position itself as a competitive player in the growing global blue economy. In her concluding remarks, the Minister expressed her delight that a resource once widely regarded as a nuisance is now being recognized globally as a valuable economic and environmental asset capable of generating jobs, supporting sustainable development and creating new opportunities for coastal communities.

 

On the sidelines of the UNGS the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), accompanied by H.E. Emmanuel K. Antwi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva at the UNCTAD held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Luz María de la Mora, Director of the International Trade and Commodities Division of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Discussions focused on opportunities for strengthening cooperation between Ghana and UNCTAD to develop sustainable seaweed value chains as part of Ghana's blue economy agenda. 

 

During the meeting, Ms. de la Mora outlined UNCTAD's ongoing work on seaweed through research, intergovernmental cooperation and technical assistance, including publications on Seaweed for Development, sustainable manufacturing initiatives promoting seaweed-based alternatives to plastics, and collaborative projects with FAO and UNIDO supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). She indicated that Ghana could benefit from a proposed US$30 million programme supporting sustainable seaweed value chains and that UNCTAD would share the project concept for the Government's consideration. The Minister welcomed the opportunity and reaffirmed Ghana's readiness to work closely with UNCTAD and relevant national institutions, including the Ministries responsible for Environment, Trade and Industry, to develop a coordinated national strategy for the seaweed sector. She also welcomed UNCTAD's offer to support Ghana with trade and policy tools to strengthen evidence-based policymaking on sustainable ocean-based industries and climate resilience.