Commemoration of the World Seagrass Day on 1st March 2025 - Port City - Colombo
National Event of Commemorating 3rd World Seagrass Day
1st March 2025, at Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, situated in the Indo-Pacific (seagrass bioregion, harbors 15 seagrass species, making it a global hotspot for seagrass biodiversity. Despite successfully restoring 65% of its seagrass habitats, the global decline of seagrass meadows remains a critical concern, with nearly 30% lost.
In recognition of the ecological significance of seagrasses and their role in addressing climate change, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on May 23, 2022, declaring March 1st as World Seagrass Day, submitted by Sri Lanka and co-sponsored by 24 countries. This initiative highlights the importance of seagrasses in supporting marine biodiversity, fisheries, and climate resilience while advancing international commitments, including the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
About 90% of the nearly two billion young people in the world today are in the Global South. The 2025 theme, "Grooming Youth - Blooming with Seagrass," emphasizes youth engagement in seagrass conservation, aiming to inspire future generations to protect these vital ecosystems. Engaging and empowering youth in decision-making processes is crucial in shaping sustainable and adaptable communities. As nations join hands to commemorate World Seagrass Day, it reinforces the shared responsibility of safeguarding marine ecosystems to ensure a sustainable, net-zero future.
World Seagrass Day 2025 contributes significantly to international commitments by raising global awareness on the ecological importance of seagrass ecosystems in achieving the SDGs (especially SDG 13, 14, and 8), supporting the Paris Agreement through blue carbon initiatives, and promoting biodiversity conservation in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This Day advanced the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Ocean Decade by fostering research, youth engagement, and community-driven restoration, while aligning with the Ramsar Convention on wetland protection.
The National Event of Commemorating the 3rd World Seagrass day was held on 1st March 2025 at the Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi and Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Mr. K.R.Uduwawala. Diplomatic officials, Officers of the UN Agencies, Government Officials, Youth & School children, NGOs and Private Sector Officials participated (approximately 300) for this event. A video message by the Mr. Peter Thomson, Executive Officer of the UN Secretary General, Keynote Address by Prof. Sevvandi Jayakodi, Chair Professor, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Art competition award ceremony, Sea and life musical - “The Journey of Resilience” by University of the Visual and Performing Arts, University of Colombo Handing over the second undergraduate scholarship for blue carbon ecosystem from Sri Lanka Telecom to the winner, Mural on Seagrass ecosystem done by Young Zoologists Associations were highlighted at this national event. This event was a collaborative effort and it was technically and financially supported by following agencies;
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Sri Lankan Airlines
• Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel
• Blue Resources Trust
• Wildlife and Nature Protection Society
• MAS Intimates
• Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka
• Visual and Performing Arts, University of Colombo
• Royal Aquarium and Pet Accessories, Wattala
• Setmil Interior Solution
• Pan Asia Bank
