22 May 2024 – Indonesia Global Compact Network (“IGCN”) agreed to support the Indonesian government’s efforts to accelerate national seaweed industrialization with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs by joint declaration on The International Center of Excellence for Tropical Seaweed. The joint declaration ceremony took place at Merusaka Hotel, Nusa Dua. The joint declaration ceremony was attended by Joseph Dharmabrata, IGCN’s Board of Supervisor Chair.
The International Center of Excellence for Tropical Seaweed will mark a monumental step towards fostering global collaboration in seaweed research, development, and the integration of upstream and downstream activities. This study center will be a central point for scientific research, technology transfer, and capacity building in the seaweed industry. This is a collaboration between the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), including IGCN as Development Partners.
The collaboration aims to enhance the economic development of the seaweed industry in an inclusive and environmentally sustainable manner; to increase the involvement of relevant stakeholders in joint efforts to develop the seaweed industry; to promote policies that sustainably support the seaweed industry; to establish a collaborative network between researchers, practitioners, and industry players; as well as to strengthen research collaboration for seaweed industrialization.
Joseph Dharmabrata, IGCN’s Board of Supervisor Chair, stated:
“We fully support The International Center of Excellence for Tropical Seaweed since collaborative research is essential among various institutions, including IGCN. Additionally, joint efforts are required to advance mechanization, and technology utilization, and to explore the downstream potential of other seaweed species,”
Indonesia is the world’s second-largest producer of seaweed, with a total production of 9.6 million tons in 2022, and the largest producer of tropical seaweed. The country is home to approximately 500 species of seaweed, each with a range of applications. Varieties such as cottonii, spinosum, glacilaria, caulerpa, and sargassum are among those currently cultivated. With these wonderful resources, Indonesia needs a Center of Excellence to support downstream seaweed; the development of the International Tropical Seaweed Center.
