Kochi Hosts Global Seaweed Summit to Formulate India's Seaweeds-2047 Strategic Roadmap
A landmark international symposium on seaweeds is set to chart a comprehensive road map for Seaweeds-2047, a visionary framework for India's marine bioeconomy. This critical initiative will be formally formulated at the Global Seaweed Conference commencing at the Kerala Fisheries University campus in Kochi on Thursday.
Convening Global Expertise for Marine Innovation
The three-day global summit represents a pivotal gathering of leading scientists, policymakers, industry pioneers, start-up innovators, investors, and coastal community stakeholders. The primary objective is to explore the transformative potential of seaweeds in reshaping national and global food systems, advancing robust climate mitigation strategies, strengthening sustainable aquaculture practices, and generating substantial new livelihood opportunities within India's rapidly expanding Blue Economy framework.
This summit marks a defining moment in India's strategic transition toward a marine-based bioeconomy. It is designed to meticulously align cutting-edge research, dynamic industry development, and forward-thinking policy towards achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
High-Level Participation and International Collaboration
Official participation will be led by the Union fisheries ministry, with key figures including Union minister George Kurien. The conference will feature expertise from premier national institutions such as the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), NABARD, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the state fisheries department, and the Seaweed Research and Utilisation Association (SRUA).
The event boasts significant international representation, with participation confirmed from universities and specialized research centres across Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, and France. This diverse collaboration underscores the global importance of seaweed development.
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Seaweed Applications
A dedicated seaweed industry expo will be a central feature of the conference, showcasing the vast commercial and environmental applications of seaweed. Exhibits will include:
- Seaweed-based functional foods and nutraceuticals for enhanced health and wellness.
- Advanced bioactive extraction technologies for pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses.
- Innovative biodegradable packaging materials to combat plastic pollution.
- Next-generation bioplastics derived from marine resources.
The Seaweeds-2047 roadmap emerging from this summit is expected to provide a clear, actionable strategy for harnessing seaweed's full potential, positioning India as a global leader in sustainable marine resource utilization and contributing significantly to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and coastal community prosperity.
