For the young people of Team Beach Busters, sargassum seaweed is a daily reality. It washes up on Caribbean shores, lingers for months and can cause headaches and nausea.
At the #CHOGM2026 Youth Forum in Antigua and Barbuda today, the team presented their proposed solution: a four-wheeled, beach buggy-style robot designed to harvest sargassum while protecting marine life. The solution has a dual purpose: clearing beaches while enabling the collected seaweed to be repurposed into biodegradable packaging, art and other products, creating jobs and new opportunities in the orange economy.
Part of COL’s Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Innovation Project for Blue-Green Resilience and Prosperity, Team Beach Busters is demonstrating how young people can bring fresh ideas and practical approaches to challenges affecting their communities. The showcase, organised with support from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, provided a platform to share these youth-led innovations with Commonwealth leaders.
Explore the project and follow the blue-green solutions emerging from all seven youth teams: www.col.org/youthrobotics
Commonwealth leaders gathered today for the official opening of #CHOGM2026, united by a shared ambition to accelerate partnerships and investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.
COL was honoured to join dignitaries and partners from across the Commonwealth at the Opening Ceremony, including His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth; the Rt Hon Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; the Hon Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia; the Hon Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o, Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa; and the Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Their remarks emphasised the need for collective action in responding to growing global uncertainty, climate pressures and rapidly changing technologies. From investing in skills development and expanding opportunities for young people to mobilising climate finance and accelerating green energy, the messages highlighted the importance of adapting to shared challenges and building a more resilient future.
With CHOGM 2026 positioned as a summit of action, COL looks forward to working with Commonwealth partners to turn shared ambitions into practical solutions that benefit people and communities. Explore our strategic talking points and contribute to what comes next: www.col.org/chogm26
Caribbean beaches are vital to local communities, tourism and livelihoods, and the region’s young problem-solvers are finding new ways to protect them.
Team Sea Cyclerz is taking on the challenge of sargassum seaweed. As one of seven youth teams in COL’s Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Innovation Project for Blue-Green Resilience and Prosperity, they are developing a robotics solution focused on sargassum management, marine pollution and water protection.
At the #CHOGM2026 Youth Forum, the Sea Cyclerz joined six other teams to present their prototypes to Commonwealth leaders and share their ideas for supporting sustainable blue-green economies. Supported by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project brings together young people and mentors from across the Caribbean to develop innovative solutions to shared regional challenges.
Commonwealth leaders gathered for the official opening of #CHOGM2026 today, united by a shared ambition to accelerate partnerships and investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.
COL was honoured to join dignitaries and partners from across the Commonwealth at the Opening
Meet the Ocean Crusaders! One of seven youth teams in COL’s Pan-Caribbean Youth Robotics Project, they’re developing a robotics solution to dampen waves and strengthen coastal resilience.
At the #CHOGM2026 Youth Showcase, they joined six other teams to present their prototypes
