Our member Susana PERERA VALDERRAMA from the Cartagena Convention Secretariat shares
SPAW COP12 & COP13 Strengthen Regional Sargassum Response
Recent decisions adopted at SPAW COP12 (2023) and SPAW COP13 (2025) mark a significant advancement in regional coordination and scientific collaboration to address the escalating impacts of Sargassum across the Wider Caribbean Region. Building on the commitments of the Cartagena Convention, Parties reaffirmed the need for stronger knowledge sharing, enhanced cooperation with regional initiatives such as the GEO Blue Planet Sargassum Working Group and IOCaribe, and the development of a structured, Convention-level governance mechanism.
The adoption of the Cartagena Convention Action Plan on Sargassum Inundation late 2025 provides a formal strategic framework to guide joint actions on monitoring, research, early warning, and sustainable management. Together, these decisions solidify the regional mandate for coordinated Sargassum response efforts and reinforce the role of platforms such as the Sargassum Information Hub in supporting effective, evidence-based action.
SPAW COP12 Decisions
(UNEP(DEPI)/CAR IG.46/3, 2023)
SPAW COP12 encouraged the Secretariat and SPAW-RAC to improve knowledge and strengthen support to Contracting Parties to address the impacts of Sargassum inundations, including enhancing coordination with relevant regional and international partners. It also called for engagement with initiatives such as the GEO Blue Planet Sargassum Working Group and IOC-UNESCO IOCaribe, and tasked the Sargassum Working Group with assessing regional needs and updating the regional Action Plan.
Main takeaway: SPAW COP12 provided a continued formal mandate for regional coordination, scientific collaboration, and development of a structured regional response framework to address Sargassum under the Cartagena Convention and the SPAW Protocol.
SPAW COP13 Decisions
(UNEP(DEPI)/CAR IG.51/3 Rev.1, 2025)
SPAW COP13 requested endorsement and implementation of the Cartagena Convention Action Plan on Sargassum Inundation, established a Convention-level Sargassum Working Group to coordinate actions across the SPAW and LBS Protocols, and requested the preparation of an integrated regional report on the state of the Convention Area including a dedicated chapter on Sargassum.
Main takeaway: SPAW COP13 strengthened and operationalized the regional mandate by establishing formal governance mechanisms and implementation processes to coordinate regional monitoring, management, and policy responses to Sargassum.
Cartagena Convention Action Plan on Sargassum Inundation
(UNEP(DEPI)/CAR WG.45/INF.27 Rev.3)
This document provides the regional strategic framework to guide coordinated actions on research, monitoring, governance, response, and sustainable financing related to Sargassum influxes.
Main takeaway: The Action Plan establishes a structured and coordinated regional mechanism under the Cartagena Convention, including collaboration with partners such as GEO Blue Planet and IOCaribe, and supports the development of monitoring tools, early warning systems, and regional coordination platforms such as the Sargassum Information Hub.
