Busan: A major global maritime conference is set to begin in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan, aiming to provide a platform for international discussions on the sustainable future of the ocean. The 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) will be held under the theme "Our Ocean, Our Action" for two days at BEXCO, approximately 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the event will be attended by around 2,000 officials, including government delegates from 100 countries and leaders of international institutions and nongovernmental organizations. This year's OOC will focus on seven topics, including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security, and digital oceans.
As the host country, Seoul intends to propose the "Korea Blue Action Plan," which includes approximately 70 pledges aimed at promoting the sustainability of the ocean sector. These pledges will encompass efforts to expand marine protected areas globally, the use of eco-friendly fuels for vessels, and initiatives to reduce marine plastic pollution.
On the sidelines of the event, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will hold a business summit for the shipping, shipbuilding, and digital ocean industries. Additionally, South Korea will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans-related Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in Busan, ahead of the APEC summit scheduled to take place in the country in the fall.