Trinidad and Tobago Welcomes Donation of Sargassum Equipment from the Government of Japan
On Tuesday 19 August 2025, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) proudly joined the official handover ceremony of sargassum equipment donated by His Excellency Dr. Akima Umezawa, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan to the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government. The ceremony marked the official handover of keys to two specialised tractors, procured under the Project for Improving National Sargassum Management Capacities in the Caribbean. The aim of this Project, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is to support and enhance national capacity for the management of sargassum influxes with the provision of equipment, expertise and technical knowledge.
In making a presentation on behalf of the Government and People of Japan, His Excellency Dr. Akima Umezawa, Ambassador of Japan, said he witnessed firsthand how sargassum affected the lives and livelihoods of people in coastal communities, prompting him to commit to and collaborate with the people of Trinidad and Tobago to restore affected coastlines. His Excellency also proposed the value in exploring future partnerships with companies in Japan, which have embarked on transforming sargassum into sustainable products.
This project demonstrates the Government of Japan’s commitment to offer support in areas such as disaster prevention, environment, energy, waste management and fisheries in order to overcome the vulnerabilities inherent to small island countries, as well as to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Caribbean countries.
Among the many participants in the ceremony were the Honourable Khadijah Ameen, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government; Mr. Peter Mitchell, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government; Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative, UNDP; Ms. Candace Ramsaran, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD); Dr. Ava Maxam, Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) and Dr. Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) and Chair of the National Project Steering Committee and the National Sargassum Task Force.
As Chair of the National Project Steering Committee and the National Sargassum Task Force, Dr. Juman stated that the IMA is a key player in managing sargassum in Trinidad and Tobago as it conducts research and collaborates with key stakeholders in monitoring sargassum influxes. Removing sargassum off beaches after each inundation is not enough. Dr. Juman briefly explained that Trinidad and Tobago needs to develop long-term adaptation strategies and forge strategic partnerships that would explore converting the sargassum problem into a sustainable opportunity.
