The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, successfully hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Basic Training Course on Ocean Acidification from March 16–20, 2026. The programme marked a significant milestone as the first training workshop of its kind to be delivered in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The five-day course was coordinated by Dr. Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith and brought together eleven participants from Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The training was designed to strengthen regional capacity in ocean acidification (OA) research and monitoring, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to better understand and address one of the most pressing environmental challenges affecting marine ecosystems globally.

The IAEA was represented by Ms. Lina Hansson, Associate Project Officer at the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC) in Monaco. Participants benefited from the expertise of an internationally recognized training team comprising Professor Sam Dupont of the University of Gothenburg, Professor Richard Garth James Bellerby of the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), and Dr. Emily Hall of Mote Marine Laboratory.

Throughout the week, trainees engaged in lectures, practical sessions, and discussions focused on the science of ocean acidification, monitoring techniques, data interpretation, and the implications of changing ocean chemistry for marine biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal communities. The training also provided a valuable platform for regional networking and collaboration among scientists and practitioners working in marine and environmental research.

The course culminated on March 20 with a public session titled “Ocean Acidification in the Caribbean.” The event featured presentations, a panel discussion, and an interactive question-and-answer segment that explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with ocean acidification research, monitoring, and policy development in the Caribbean region.

Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Mr. Jonathan Cook, Deputy High Commissioner at the United Kingdom High Commission; Professor Dale Webber, Director of the Centre for Marine Sciences and Special Envoy for Climate Change, the Environment, Matters of the Ocean, and the Blue Economy; and Dr. Natwaine Gardner, Principal Director for Science in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The session attracted approximately fifty students, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, highlighting growing regional interest in understanding and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification. Discussions underscored the importance of strengthening scientific capacity, fostering collaboration, and supporting evidence-based decision-making to enhance the resilience of Caribbean marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

By hosting this pioneering training programme, The UWI Mona continues to demonstrate its leadership in marine science, climate research, and regional capacity building, while contributing to international efforts to improve understanding of ocean change and its implications for sustainable development in Small Island Developing States.