The International Workshop on Sustainable Blue Economies in the Caribbean Islands and low-lying communities was executed by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus, in Antigua & Barbuda from March 26-28, 2024. A diverse range of experts and intellectuals from the political, private sector, NGO, and academic sectors from regional government agencies and research institutions participated.

The opening session saw remarks from Prof. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus and Dr. Hide Sakaguchi, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) and Executive Director of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) who joined virtually. Prof. Robinson placed the workshop within the context of the Caribbean and the challenges it faces in relation to Climate Change which requires a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle which can be realized within the construct of the Blue Economy.

Dr. Sakaguchi in his presentation also highlighted the importance of traditional knowledge, innovation and blue finance for sustainable blue economies. He pinpointed cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships as key to foster an interdisciplinary approach. He emphasized the need to work together by consolidating knowledge and expertise in order to develop change-makers and start-up entrepreneurs for a sustainable ocean and sustainable blue economies.

The workshop was featured on the ABS TV Antigua newscast where Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Senior Research Fellow and Dr. Devon Dublin, Specially Appointed Research Fellow were interviewed. The feature can be found at the following link https://youtu.be/kkJoWb3SGRw (talk of Mr. Kobayashi starts from 1:34 and Dr. Dublin from 1:00)