Busan: A major global maritime conference kicked off in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan to provide a platform for international discussions on the sustainable future of the ocean.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) began under the theme "Our Ocean, Our Action" for a two-day event at BEXCO, located approximately 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The conference has attracted around 2,300 officials, including government delegates from 100 countries, as well as leaders from international institutions and nongovernmental organizations. Notable participants include former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Peter Thomson, the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for the ocean.
Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung addressed the gathering, emphasizing the urgent need for concrete and innovative action plans to tackle rising sea levels, marine garbage, and the depletion of fishery resources. This year's OOC will cover seven topics, including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security, and digital oceans.
As the host, South Korea plans to propose the "Korea Blue Action Plan," supported by an investment of 3.7 trillion won (US$2.57 billion), comprising 76 pledges aimed at promoting ocean sustainability. These pledges focus on expanding marine protected areas globally, utilizing eco-friendly fuels for vessels, and reducing marine plastic pollution.
In March, South Korea became the first East Asian nation to ratify a U.N. agreement on the sustainable use of marine biological diversity. The country plans to designate over 2,000 square kilometers of new marine protected areas this year, with ongoing expansions in subsequent years. Kang also highlighted South Korea's commitment to sustainable fisheries as the only Asian member of the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Action Alliance.
On the sidelines, the oceans ministry is hosting a business summit focusing on the shipping, shipbuilding, and digital ocean industries. South Korea will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans-related Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in Busan, ahead of the APEC summit scheduled for the fall.