What's News
Laying the Foundation for the Successful Hosting of the 2028 4th UN Ocean Conference (UNOC)
-
Date
2026.09.01.
-
Hit
71
-
File
Laying the Foundation for the Successful Hosting of the 2028 4th UN Ocean Conference (UNOC)
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on Wednesday, August 26 that a total of 14 bills—including 2 new bills such as the Special Act on Support for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference and the Agriculture and Fisheries Chamber of Commerce Act—and 12 bills for partial amendment such as the Partial Amendment to the Coast Management Act passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.
The Special Act on Support for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference includes provisions to establish a government-wide cooperation system and provide administrative and financial support for the successful joint hosting of the 4th UNOC by Korea and Chile in 2028. As the premier, highest-level international forum on ocean affairs, UNOC* has functioned as a cornerstone for deliberating on global maritime issues including climate change and marine pollution. It has also galvanized practical action and collaboration within the international community.
* At the convening of the 3rd UNOC in Nice, France in 2025, over 15,000 participants took part including more than 60 summit-level dignitaries such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Notably, the upcoming 4th UN Ocean Conference in 2028 will take place just two years before the 2030 deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As such, it is poised to be a pivotal milestone in discussing the post-2030 framework for international maritime cooperation. MOF plans to make meticulous preparations based on this enactment to ensure that Korea establishes itself as a global maritime powerhouse.
The Partial Amendment to the Coast Management Act stipulates that MOF must review coastal flooding and erosion impacts in advance when development activities such as roads and ports that affect the coast are conducted. This amendment is expected to reduce the risk of coastal disasters by establishing institutional mechanisms to review and prevent coastal flooding and erosion in advance during the development phase. MOF plans to minimize redundancy between systems as well as the burden on business by linking with existing prior impact assessment systems—such as environmental impact assessments and marine use impact assessments—to ensure efficient system operation.
Meanwhile, the Partial Amendment to the Act on Safe Fishing Operations and Promotion of Safety and Health of Fishermen, etc., was passed to prevent fishing vessel accidents and casualties, including provisions allowing for the ordering of fleet formation during specific periods of high risk of accidents such as severe winter weather and the temporary restriction of fishing operations and navigation when there are concerns that a series of major fishing vessel accidents may occur due to adverse weather conditions. A total of 11 bills including the Agriculture and Fisheries Chamber of Commerce Act were also passed to support greater participation by farmers and fishers in agriculture and fisheries policy by laying the basis for establishing agriculture and fisheries chambers at the metropolitan and local government levels as representative bodies where local farmers and fishermen participate autonomously.
“With the enactment of the Special Act on Support for the 2028 UNOC, we will make every effort to ensure that the 4th UNOC successfully showcases Korea’s outstanding maritime capabilities and rich marine cultural heritage while providing an opportunity to discuss a sustainable future for our oceans with the international community. We will also work to ensure the smooth implementation of the bills passed by the National Assembly, including the necessary revisions to subordinate regulations,” said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo.
- Passage of 14 bills by the National Assembly—including 2 enactment bills such as the Special Act on Support for the 2028 UNOC—and 12 partial amendment bills including the Partial Amendment to the Coast Management Act
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced on Wednesday, August 26 that a total of 14 bills—including 2 new bills such as the Special Act on Support for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference and the Agriculture and Fisheries Chamber of Commerce Act—and 12 bills for partial amendment such as the Partial Amendment to the Coast Management Act passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.
The Special Act on Support for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference includes provisions to establish a government-wide cooperation system and provide administrative and financial support for the successful joint hosting of the 4th UNOC by Korea and Chile in 2028. As the premier, highest-level international forum on ocean affairs, UNOC* has functioned as a cornerstone for deliberating on global maritime issues including climate change and marine pollution. It has also galvanized practical action and collaboration within the international community.
* At the convening of the 3rd UNOC in Nice, France in 2025, over 15,000 participants took part including more than 60 summit-level dignitaries such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Notably, the upcoming 4th UN Ocean Conference in 2028 will take place just two years before the 2030 deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As such, it is poised to be a pivotal milestone in discussing the post-2030 framework for international maritime cooperation. MOF plans to make meticulous preparations based on this enactment to ensure that Korea establishes itself as a global maritime powerhouse.
The Partial Amendment to the Coast Management Act stipulates that MOF must review coastal flooding and erosion impacts in advance when development activities such as roads and ports that affect the coast are conducted. This amendment is expected to reduce the risk of coastal disasters by establishing institutional mechanisms to review and prevent coastal flooding and erosion in advance during the development phase. MOF plans to minimize redundancy between systems as well as the burden on business by linking with existing prior impact assessment systems—such as environmental impact assessments and marine use impact assessments—to ensure efficient system operation.
Meanwhile, the Partial Amendment to the Act on Safe Fishing Operations and Promotion of Safety and Health of Fishermen, etc., was passed to prevent fishing vessel accidents and casualties, including provisions allowing for the ordering of fleet formation during specific periods of high risk of accidents such as severe winter weather and the temporary restriction of fishing operations and navigation when there are concerns that a series of major fishing vessel accidents may occur due to adverse weather conditions. A total of 11 bills including the Agriculture and Fisheries Chamber of Commerce Act were also passed to support greater participation by farmers and fishers in agriculture and fisheries policy by laying the basis for establishing agriculture and fisheries chambers at the metropolitan and local government levels as representative bodies where local farmers and fishermen participate autonomously.
“With the enactment of the Special Act on Support for the 2028 UNOC, we will make every effort to ensure that the 4th UNOC successfully showcases Korea’s outstanding maritime capabilities and rich marine cultural heritage while providing an opportunity to discuss a sustainable future for our oceans with the international community. We will also work to ensure the smooth implementation of the bills passed by the National Assembly, including the necessary revisions to subordinate regulations,” said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo.
-
NEXT
-
PREV