10th OOC Successfully Concludes, Showcasing “K-Maritime” Leadership

 

- South Korea successfully hosts 10th OOC, solidifying global maritime leadership — Kenya to host next event

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) under the leadership of Minister Kang Do-Hyung, has announced the successful closing of the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), held from Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30 in Busan, South Korea.

 

 The 10th OOC, organized under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action,” convened more than 2,600 ocean leaders from over 100 nations, including ministers and deputy ministers, senior officials from international organizations, and representatives from global NGOs and businesses. The conference provided a platform to discuss opportunities to cooperate on global ocean challenges, and it resulted in the announcement of 277 commitments with a total value of USD 9.1 billion.

 

 As the host of the 10th OOC, the MOF proclaimed the Korea Blue Action Plan, an agenda encompassing 76 commitments designed to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems. Among them, four core commitments were identified: ▲assuming an active role in global discussions on marine protected areas (MPAs); ▲participating in discourse on the transition to eco-friendly fuels for ocean freight and the establishment of a global green fuel supply chain; ▲recognizing the significance of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency for sustainable fisheries and implementing the Charter in phases; and ▲promoting a lifecycle management policy for fishing gear, a primary contributor to marine plastic pollution.

 

 In particular, global maritime leaders praised the opening ceremony for showcasing South Korea’s rich maritime culture. The audience was moved by a video introducing Haenyeo, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, followed by a heartfelt performance by the Hado Haenyeo Choir. Minister Kang officially opened the 10th OOC with a personal story about his mother, who lived the life of a Haenyeo, and called on countries to take actions for the sustainability of our oceans.

 

 The “10th Anniversary Special Session,” proposed by South Korea for the decennial OOC, also garnered significant attention. This session, the first of its kind in the history of the OOC, analyzed the Conference’s achievements over the past decade and shared best practices. To date, a total of 478 organizations have made 2,618 voluntary pledges, representing USD 161 billion (approx.) in financial commitments. Of these, 43%, or 1,130, have been implemented and 38%, or 1,005, are ongoing. This indicates that about 81% of the pledges have been or are being realized, showcasing the OOC’s commitment to driving tangible change. By pledge category, marine pollution had the most items, with a total of 508. By dollar amount, USD 86.6 billion, 54% of the total, was committed to addressing climate change.

 

 Two exceptional cases of achievement were also presented. Renz Nathaniel Luyao, a young Filipino, shared his experience organizing the country’s first youth seminar on the BBNJ Agreement and promoting “Gensea,” an online marine education and community platform. The PEW Foundation shared its accomplishments in designating 2 million km² of MPAs in over 30 regions worldwide, and called on countries to join in the MPA designation.

 

 The OOC plenary sessions featured in-depth discussions on seven key themes. The speakers represented a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise, including geography, gender, race, and affiliation. Additionally, “Digital Oceans” was presented as a special agenda, designated by South Korea as the host country.

 

 ① The “Marine Protected Areas“ agenda centered on strategies to achieve the ’30 by 30’ target of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans and lands by the year 2030. While seeking the quantitative expansion of MPAs through the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and the expansion of polar reserves, the importance of quality management was also emphasized, such as securing scientific basis for MPA designation.

 

 ② The “Blue Economy” session outlined strategies to promote the Blue Economy, including innovative business models for sustainable ocean use. The session featured the presentation of best practices in various fields such as maritime tourism, eco-friendly shipping, fisheries, and maritime infrastructure. In addition, participants shared experiences on the institutional framework and policy environment that facilitate these best practices.

 

 ③ On the “Climate Change” agenda, strategies to reduce and absorb carbon in the oceans were a key point of discussion. Extensive discussion was held on the decarbonization of ocean freight, the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems, and the financing of these efforts, underlining the necessity for climate action in the maritime sector.

 

 ④ The “Sustainable Fisheries” session addressed the international community’s practical actions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. A diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, regional fisheries organizations, and civil society, have come to a consensus on the necessity of capacity building for fishing practices and seafood distribution, as well as increased ODA.

 

 ⑤ The “Marine Pollution” session focused on the remediation of specific pollutants, such as marine plastics and fishing gear waste. Best practices of civil society actions, such as beach cleanup campaigns, were introduced, raising awareness of the importance of joint actions by governments, businesses, and civil society.

 

 ⑥ The “Maritime Security” agenda explored strategies for cooperative efforts to ensure the order of the oceans, which play a pivotal role in global supply chains. Key issues such as safeguarding shipping lanes, combating piracy and IUU fishing, and fortifying maritime security governance were high on the agenda, reaffirming international interest in maritime security.

 

 ⑦ The host country’s special agenda, “Digital Oceans,” underscored the role of digital technologies as a catalyst for addressing ocean challenges. Self-driving ships, smart aquaculture, automated ports, and more examples were introduced, along with the need for international cooperation to accelerate the innovations.

 

 In distinction from previous OOCs, the 10th Conference provided an opportunity to introduce the exceptional capacity of domestic shipping and shipbuilding companies and to expand their global network. On April 29, representatives from various countries and global company leaders, including the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Director of Technical Cooperation and Implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), convened at the Shipping and Shipbuilding Business Summit to discuss the future of eco-friendly shipping. The Summit’s agenda included the shipping industry’s carbon-neutral strategy and a roadmap for eco-friendly shipbuilding technology.

 

 The Digital Ocean Business Summit, held on April 30, was attended by the Chairman of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), ministers and vice ministers from various countries, and executives from digital technology companies. The event featured case studies of maritime problems addressed through the use of digital technologies. These included the use of AI and satellite data to counter IUU fishing and big data monitoring to track marine pollution. The event also included a discussion about ways to link policy and the digital industry.

 

 Furthermore, special exhibitions were arranged to introduce domestic companies in the shipping, shipbuilding, and maritime digital technology sectors. These exhibitions provided attendees with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the technologies discussed.

 

 The Side Events were also of great interest. These small and medium-sized seminars hosted by NGOs, international organizations, research institutions, and others, provided in-depth discussions on seven key themes that were not covered in the plenary sessions.

 

 ▲A Side Event on Blue Finance, a financial initiative to promote a sustainable maritime economy, explored inclusive and innovative financing for increased investment in all aspects of the ocean, from ecosystem restoration to low-carbon energy transition. ▲The High Seas Alliance organized a Side Event on the BBNJ Agreement and celebrated South Korea’s ratification, the first in East Asia and the twenty-first globally. The event advocated for the ratification of the treaty by at least 60 countries by the third UN Ocean Assembly in June of this year. Meanwhile, ▲the Ocean Satellite Accounts seminar shared cases of adopting ocean and fisheries satellite accounts by leading countries such as Portugal and Norway. The event discussed challenges and cooperation plans for the growth of the global ocean economy. In addition, there was a discussion on ▲the East Asian regional cooperation network to achieve the ‘30 by 30’ target for MPAs led by the East Asia Marine Environment Management Cooperation Organization (PEMSEA). During one of the Side Events, ▲a roadmap to establish the world’s first trans-Pacific green shipping route was announced. This route will connect the ports of Busan and Ulsan in South Korea with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma in the United States.

 

 In the meantime, Kenya has been announced as the host of the 11th OOC. This will be the first time that an African country is hosting the Our Ocean Conference. At the closing ceremony, Minister Kang expressed his support for Kenya’s hosting of the next OOC and stated that South Korea will continue its commitment to international cooperation in the maritime sector.

 

 Minister Kang concluded the event by stating “It was an opportunity to showcase South Korea’s leadership for a better ocean and inspire the global community to take actions. Building on the success of the 10th OOC, South Korea will continue to contribute to the future of a sustainable ocean as a responsible and advanced nation in the maritime sector.”