Mexican and European officials met in Quintana Roo to advance joint efforts in managing and valorizing sargassum, a coastal seaweed, and to explore new areas of collaboration under the Global Gateway initiative.
José Luis Samaniego represented Minister of Environment Alicia Bárcena Ibarra during the visit. He was accompanied by Franco Fernández, Director General of Strategic Partnerships and Projects for the Circular Economy. The European delegation included Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, Francisco André, EU Ambassador to Mexico, and senior officials from the EU’s international cooperation offices.
During the visit, José Luis Samaniego Deputy Minister for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNART), and Jozef Síkela, EU’s Commissioner for International Partnerships, met with Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama and Óscar Rébor, State Minister of Ecology and Environment. Discussions focused on joint strategies and strengthening local response capacity to address sargassum, including identifying a site near Puerto Morelos for the establishment of the Circular Economy Development Hub (PODECIBI).
Samaniego emphasized the shift from viewing sargassum as a coastal problem to treating it as a circular economy opportunity. He highlighted its potential to be transformed into energy, biofertilizers, construction materials, and sustainable aviation fuels, noting that the process requires investment, technology, and long-term partnerships.
Officials toured the sargassum-harvesting vessel Natans, operated by the Mexican Navy, to review operations for collection, containment, and disposal of the seaweed at sea.
The delegation also engaged with local business representatives to discuss investment opportunities, technological innovation, and circular economy projects that use sargassum as a secondary raw material, supporting environmental protection and local communities.
SEMARNAT reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation, protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, and promotion of green investment projects to support sustainable development in the Mexican Caribbean.