Seaweed farming can support Oman's blue economy, climate goals
MUSCAT: Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is supporting a private-led initiative to explore the feasibility of large-scale seaweed cultivation, aimed at driving the growth of various economic activities related to climate mitigation, sustainable fuels, food security and biodiversity enhancement.
Leading the initiative is NTZ Solutions, a local Omani firm focused on delivering innovative solutions in carbon capture, waste management and sustainability — centric human capital development. The company is credited with establishing the GCC's first commercial-scale biochar production facility, currently operational in Barka.
With funding support from MedcoEnergi — an Indonesian state-owned energy and natural resources development enterprise — work has commenced on a pilot project designed to assess the overall feasibility and scope of large-scale seaweed cultivation in Oman.
Speaking at an energy forum held in Muscat earlier in May, representatives of NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi shared insights on seaweed cultivation as an 'innovative nature-based solution' to some of the most urgent global challenges.
'We never imagined seaweed could become a solution to the global crises we're currently facing,' said Johan Despurwantoro, Sustainability and Risk Management Specialist at MedcoEnergi. 'But the question is — why should we return to nature? Because nature-based solutions are not just environmentally relevant but also economically powerful.' According to Despurwantoro, seaweed can contribute to poverty reduction, improve food security and serve as a nutritious food alternative. It can offset carbon emissions by replacing synthetic inputs, enhance ecosystem resilience and directly sequester carbon.
Seaweed cultivation, he added, has the potential to unlock an extended value chain — from cultivation and logistics to industrial processing — creating significant employment opportunities at both local and regional levels. At the same time, it can advance Oman's progress on several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
Notably, a six-month pilot project was recently launched by the two partners in collaboration with the Ministry to assess the year-round viability of seaweed cultivation in Oman's coastal waters, Despurwantoro stated.
A team of experts from NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi is currently evaluating the consistency of cultivation and identifying ideal conditions for selected native species. A key member of the team is Kamaruddin Azis, Project Facilitator at the COMMIT Foundation.
In an update on the pilot, Kawther al Harrasi, Programme Manager at NTZ Solutions, revealed that the company has secured a pilot site within the Ministry's research facility at Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat. Of the 12 native seaweed species initially studied, six — Ulva, Codium, Sargassum, Kerva, Hypnea and Gracilaria — were selected for their commercial value. These species are already utilised globally in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agriculture industries, she explained.
In the next phase of the project, the focus will shift to scaling up production to support the development of high-value products such as agar, carrageenan, bioplastics and pharmaceutical ingredients. Kawther noted that seaweed can also play a major role in carbon sequestration.
In her presentation, she further emphasised the significant knock-on effects of seaweed cultivation for Oman's blue economy growth strategy. Beyond the direct economic benefits, seaweed farming can contribute to job creation, in-country value generation and biodiversity enhancement, she added.
Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Levene Energy to Spotlight Nigeria's Energy Diversification Prospects at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Yinka Adelodun, Executive Director of the Gas and Power Division at Levene Energy Holdings, will speak at this year's edition of African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies, highlighting Nigeria's evolving energy landscape and the role of integrated private sector players in advancing energy security and sustainability. Adelodun's participation reflects Levene Energy's pivotal role in driving Nigeria's energy diversification, particularly across the gas and renewables sectors. With over 80 million Nigerians still lacking access to electricity and proven natural gas reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet, the company is helping to harness domestic resources to support industrialization, power generation and inclusive energy access. At AEW: Invest in African Energies, Adelodun will contribute to strategic discussions and project showcases, spotlighting key investment and partnership opportunities within Nigeria's energy value chain. In the gas sector, Levene Energy is expanding midstream infrastructure through its subsidiaries. The company holds franchise licenses from the Nigeria Gas Marketing Company Limited for gas distribution in the Ibeju-Lekki and Badagry-Seme areas. Through its subsidiary Aegon Distribution Limited, Levene is also constructing pipelines for NNPC Gas Marketing, supporting the transportation of low-carbon gas as a substitute for diesel and addressing growing domestic demand. In the oil sector, the company is strengthening sustainability through She-Val Engineering, which provides emission reduction services for upstream projects. Levene Energy also owns two bitumen exploration and production assets in Ogun State, enhancing its vertically integrated model spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Levene Energy is further contributing to Nigeria's renewable energy ambitions through its partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, focused on implementing rural generation projects and manufacturing solar PV systems in Ikotun. Coming into AEW 2025, Levene Energy is well-positioned to present its multi-sector investment portfolio and engage with partners to scale up energy solutions across Nigeria and beyond. 'Levene Energy is a strong example of how African companies can drive expertise and service delivery across the entire energy value chain. The company's 10-year footprint in Nigeria demonstrates the transformative impact of integrating oil, gas and renewable resources to achieve sustainable development,' said Oré Onagbesan, Program Director for AEW 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025
H.E. Bin Touq: The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national initiatives that promote the values of social responsibility, and the 'Sustainable Impact Challenge' embodies our vision of encouraging responsible business practices The event witnessed several sessions and meetings that discussed a range of topics, including: Barriers that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to adopt CSR initiatives across the private sector. The importance of supporting public-private collaborations in developing the impact economy and promoting sustainable and comprehensive development. UAE: MAJRA – National CSR Fund recognised the top three winning projects and honoured 17 other initiatives shortlisted for the inaugural edition of Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025, during a prestigious awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai. Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, alongside prominent figures, such as H.E. Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, the event celebrated innovative initiatives that created tangible impact in the nation's sustainability landscape. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national strategies and programs that uphold social responsibility and encourage sustainable practices across all sectors. At Majra, we are pleased to play a key role in this effort by fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with the private sector. The launch of the first edition of the Sustainable Impact Challenge, which will be held annually, reflects our mission to instil corporate CSR values and nurture a culture of sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to support impactful private sector projects that align with the national agenda, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business practices. This is in line with our broader commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.' The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a national platform designed to identify and celebrate outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. It reflects Majra's firm dedication to empowering these vital contributors and directing their efforts toward sustainable development. By recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE's broader national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major sectors. In her speech, H.E. Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. H.E. highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious 'Year of Community' program. Her Excellency praised the efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic issues. The top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste'; Thiqa Education's '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration' initiative. Together, they were awarded a total cash prize of AED 600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to sustainable development in the UAE. Additionally, the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the opportunity to showcase their project outcomes. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025. These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such efforts that contribute to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.' On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra's lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key session at the event featured H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, along with undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the UAE. Key issues highlighted included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR practices. Another key session titled, 'The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,' explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and H.E. Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions Authority – Ma'an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al Qassim. The event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid the groundwork for future collaboration and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra's unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE's strategic development goals.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
PARAGON Developments and Schneider Electric forge strategic partnership
On The Sidelines of 'Building of The Future' Event Cairo — PARAGON Developments, Egypt's leading regenerative mixed-use developer, announces a strategic partnership with Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, to integrate advanced smart building solutions across the WORK IN project within PARAGON.3. This collaboration reinforces PARAGON's commitment to creating regenerative spaces that seamlessly combine human-centric design, enhanced well-being, and optimized environmental performance. Schneider Electric will provide a suite of cutting-edge EcoStruxure solutions for building management, including intelligent meeting room management systems, motion-activated lighting sensors, and advanced climate control solutions. These integrated systems go beyond operational efficiency—they reflect PARAGON's ongoing evolution toward regenerative development, where every square meter is optimized for energy use, spatial functionality, and environmental impact reduction. Located in the heart of the New Administrative Capital, directly facing the Presidential Palace, WORK IN offers fully serviced workspaces ranging from 15 to 50 square meters, tailored for dynamic startups and SMEs. With Schneider Electric's technology embedded, these spaces function as intelligent ecosystems that adapt in real time to occupants' needs while maintaining peak energy efficiency. The solutions enhance space utilization through predictive analytics, automate lighting to ensure comfort and energy savings, and deliver precise climate control with minimal environmental footprint. Collectively, they reduce operational costs and foster responsive, human-centric work environments. Eng. Bedeir Rizk, CEO of PARAGON Developments, commented: "Our partnership with Schneider Electric is a practical embodiment of our philosophy in regenerative development. We design living systems that evolve with their users and actively contribute to enhancing environmental sustainability and social well-being. By integrating our expertise in real estate development and design with Schneider Electric's technological leadership, we have been able to develop highly efficient, flexible spaces tailored for the demands of the future. These intelligent systems enable us to deliver spaces that contribute to the regeneration of the environment and surrounding communities, relying on the four drivers that guide our work at Paragon: Empowering Communities, Integrating Well-being, Regenerative Practices & Intelligent Technology. Our partnership with Schneider Electric in the WORK IN project is a living example of this vision.' Eng. Mohamed Bedeir, Chairman of PARAGON Developments, commented: "This collaboration with Schneider Electric marks another milestone in a successful partnership that has already been realized through our PARAGON.1 and PARAGON.2 projects. It reflects our shared commitment to creating spaces that are not only intelligent and sustainable, but also aligned with the future of urban living. At PARAGON, we draw on over 35 years of integrated, 360° experience in real estate and design. We were founded on a deep understanding that buildings today must go beyond function, they must become regenerative, mixed-use ecosystems that blend lifestyle, culture, wellbeing, business, and hospitality in a seamless experience. Through this strategic alliance, we're proud to contribute to Egypt's smart city transformation and support the national goals of Vision 2030 by delivering technology-enabled environments that elevate both people and planet. Sebastien Riez, Cluster President of Schneider Electric Northeast Africa and the Levant, stated: "At Schneider Electric, we focus on reducing carbon emissions from buildings to make them more future-ready and sustainable, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Our partnership with PARAGON Developments plays a key role in shaping the future of smart buildings in the region. By integrating our advanced energy management and automation solutions into the WORK IN project, we support evolving business needs while upholding the highest environmental standards. PARAGON's regenerative vision aligns perfectly with our mission to create smart, efficient, resilient, and sustainable built environments across Egypt." The PARAGON-Schneider Electric partnership marks another important step in a broader strategic collaboration, laying the groundwork for future joint efforts across PARAGON's growing portfolio of regenerative mixed-use developments. With ambitious plans to reach 1 million square meters of intelligent and sustainable facilities this year, PARAGON continues to redefine what buildings can achieve, not just as sustainable structures, but as regenerative environments that enhance quality of life for all who engage with them. About Paragon Developments: Paragon Developments is a leading Egyptian developer with extensive experience and a proven track record of achievements. The company delivered its "Paragon 1" project in the Financial District of the New Administrative Capital, which will be up and running by 2025, with 80% of the project's sales coming from abroad, reflecting the company's strategic focus on attracting foreign investors and expatriates. Paragon has launched three projects in the Egyptian market with a total built-up area of 120,000 square meters, aiming to reach an underdevelopment area of 1 million square meters by 2025.
