Waves of Innovation: Digital Solutions for Ocean Climate Action
What happens when cutting‑edge technology dives beneath the waves? The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Trinidad and Tobago convened local and regional leaders to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can help protect our oceans and coasts from the climate crisis. Titled, ‘Digital‑AI Based Ocean Climate Action Seminar’, held in Port of Spain on 1st May 2026, advanced outcomes from last year’s Ocean‑Based Climate Action Seminar, which was co‑hosted with the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) and ECLAC, focusing on how digital technologies and artificial intelligence can strengthen marine and climate resilience.
The event brought together experts from Korea and representatives of the Global Green Growth Initiative (GGGI), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), who shared strategies for ecosystem restoration, intelligent ocean management, and AI‑driven governance.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Seijoong Kwon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, highlighted Korea’s commitment to combining advanced AI with nature‑based solutions, beginning with recovery efforts in Carriacou Island, Grenada, after Hurricane Beryl in 2024. By sharing experiences from Korea’s digital transition, His Excellency Kwon is strengthening communications in the Caribbean region to advance collaborative climate action, enhance digital capacity, and integrate AI‑driven solutions into marine and coastal resilience strategies. Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh, Head of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit at the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD), highlighted the need for proactive, data‑driven responses to climate threats such as sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Presentations covered topics ranging from digital tools for marine restoration to regional cooperation for coastal protection. Dr. Ava Maxam, Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), concluded by underscoring that marine protection must be rooted in intelligent, data‑driven systems that integrate technology, finance, and policy. She highlighted that safeguarding coastal and marine ecosystems cannot rely solely on physical defenses, but requires a holistic approach where scientific research informs digital innovation, financial investment supports sustainable solutions, and policy frameworks ensure long‑term resilience. Dr. Maxam also stated that by aligning these pillars, Caribbean nations can proactively respond to climate threats, strengthen ecosystem services, and build adaptive capacity across communities and institutions.
This focus on digital innovation and AI directly complements the Institute of Marine Affairs’ (IMA) research in Trinidad and Tobago. Through projects such as coral reef and seagrass restoration under the MARIN Tobago initiative, IMA is building the scientific and community infrastructure needed to apply advanced technologies to local ecosystems. By linking Korea’s digital transition with IMA’s evidence‑based marine science, the seminar highlights how global expertise and local research can work together to strengthen climate resilience across the Caribbean.
This seminar provided a vital platform for advancing AI‑enabled climate resilience and reinforced Korea–Caribbean cooperation in safeguarding marine ecosystems.
