BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6adac859829fe DTSTART:20240712T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20240712T083000Z LOCATION:Rome\, Italy SUMMARY:Speakers’ corner event – An ocean of opportunities: The potenti al of seaweed to address food security\, environmental sustainability\, an d gender empowerment CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Seaweed is a versatile marine macroalgae that is increasingly g aining recognition for its multifaceted contributions to development\, env ironmental sustainability\, food security\, and gender empowerment. The gl obal seaweed market is valued at approximately $17 billion\, with exports reaching $1 billion in 2021 (UNCTAD\, 2023).Seaweed uses span various area s\, including human food consumption and industrial sectors such as hydroc olloids and pharmaceuticals. The ocean crop is also used in environmental projects such as non-plastic substitutes\, carbon capture and renewable en ergy sources like biofuel. Seaweed can also offer sustainable solutions to help improve livelihoods in developing countries\, particularly for poor coastal communities. It can rapidly regenerate and supports ecosystem rest oration. Women play a significant role in seaweed production\, processing\ , and commercialization.However\, much of the seaweed sector’s economic\ , environmental\, and social potential remains untapped and remains greatl y unregulated. During a time of multiple food security\, environmental and social challenges\, sustainable development of emerging ocean economic se ctors such as seaweed takes on a new urgency. Despite its multiple and mul tifaceted contributions to sustainable development\, seaweed has historica lly been underrepresented in the public sphere. Speakers'\; CornerA & quot\;Speakers'\; Corner"\; will be set up at the 36th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (8-12 July 2024)\, to allow participants to sha re perspectives\, approaches\, and solutions for sustainable aquatic food systems. This seaweed event will be hosted by Chantal Line Carpentier (UNC TAD) and Vincent Doumeizel (UN COMPACT &\; GSC)\, with the aim of prese nting the state-of-the-art analysis of the opportunities that seaweed coul d bring to address food security\, environmental sustainability\, and to e mpower women in this sector.  OutcomeThe expected outcome of this event is enhanced understanding by FAO member states of seaweed’s potential as a regenerative solution to improve food security\, environmental performa nce\, livelihoods\, especially for women\, and to address multiple global crises. That understanding would underpin growing international public deb ate and dialogue on the trade policy\, development\, and science interphas e\, including the need for designing a United Nations coordination and cap acity creation mechanism for the sector.\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nht tps://unctad.org/meeting/speakers-corner-event-ocean-opportunities-potenti al-seaweed-address-food-security DTSTAMP:20261023T023713Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR