In addressing the audience attending the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, President Luis Abinader called for funding and attention to resolve the climate change issue caused by sargassum. Sargassum is impacting fishing and tourism in the Caribbean. President Abinader reminded that this proliferation directly impacts biodiversity, public health, and strategic sectors such as tourism and fishing, which are fundamental pillars of island economies.
“We need this threat to be recognized for what it is: a regional emergency. We must act as the community we are, with shared responsibility and active solidarity. The sea that unites us as a region also calls for a collective response. Therefore, we reiterate our call for the United Nations General Assembly to address this situation urgently and activate a global, coordinated response,” said President Abinader when speaking in Nice.
According to estimates cited by President Abinader, between 0.62 and 0.93 million metric tons of sargassum could reach the Dominican coasts this year. “In an extreme scenario, this amount could surpass one million tons, depending on environmental conditions and marine currents,” he warned.
During the conference, the DR was given a key leadership role. The DR will next serve as vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference. This appointment acknowledged the nation’s regional leadership in ocean-related issues and its steadfast commitment to marine conservation.
The news was received by President Luis Abinader and Minister of Environment Paíno Henríquez when attending the 3rd UN Ocean Conference.
With this election, the Dominican Republic was set to lead the plenary session on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, a responsibility that will be undertaken by Ambassador Wellington Bencosme, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).
The conference assembly elects 13 vice presidencies representing each global region. The Dominican Republic, alongside Brazil, was chosen to represent Latin America and the Caribbean.
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3rd UN Ocean Conference
10 June 2025