Busan, May 6, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The 10th Our Ocean Conference, held on April 28-30, 2025, in Busan, the Republic of Korea, was a defining moment for the future of the planet’s most vital natural resource - the ocean. Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action,” this historic event brought together over 2,600 delegates from more than 100 countries, including high-level representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international groups, academia, and the private sector. The overarching message of the Conference was clear: the time to act on ocean conservation and sustainable marine management is now.

The ocean is not only the concern of maritime nations alone, it is a shared lifeline that affects the climate, economy, and survival of every country on Earth. It covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and is home to over 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. Yet, despite its vital importance, the health of our oceans is rapidly deteriorating. Overfishing, marine pollution, and the impacts of climate change have pushed marine ecosystems to the brink. It is estimated that 90 percent of global fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted, while marine plastic pollution has reached alarming levels, with 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean annually.

The Our Ocean Conference has been a leading platform for generating meaningful commitments to preserve and protect the oceans. Since its inception in 2014, the Conference has catalyzed over 2,600 voluntary commitments valued at approximately USD 160 billion. These commitments have led to notable progress in various areas, including:

-       Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Expansion of MPAs to safeguard marine biodiversity;

-       Marine Pollution: Initiatives to reduce marine plastic pollution and other contaminants;

-       Blue Economy: Promotion of sustainable economic activities that utilize ocean resources;

-       Climate Change: Actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems;

-       Sustainable Fisheries: Efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote sustainable fishing practices.

The 10th edition was of high importance, as it coincided with growing global recognition of the urgent challenges that our oceans face, such as rising marine pollution, the depletion of fish stocks, the impacts of climate change, and the accelerating degradation of marine ecosystems. In 2025, world leaders converged with a renewed sense of urgency, pledging collaborative actions aimed at safeguarding the ocean, not only for the well-being of marine life but also for the survival of humanity itself.

A special agenda of the 2025 Conference centered on “Digital Oceans,” exploring the integration of digital technologies in ocean governance. This initiative aims at enhancing data collection, monitoring, and decision-making processes, thereby facilitating more effective and systematic approaches to achieving a sustainable ocean.

The Opening Ceremony of the 10th Our Ocean Conference was a stirring and symbolic occasion, featuring impassioned speeches and cultural tributes that set the stage for the discussions ahead.

The Ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, with Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea Kang Do-Hyung delivering a powerful opening address. The Minister emphasized the importance of international collaboration for marine sustainability and introduced the “Korea Blue Action Plan,” a comprehensive initiative backed by a KRW 3.7 trillion investment, encompassing 76 pledges aimed at promoting ocean sustainability. These pledges include expanding marine protected areas, fostering eco-friendly fuels for vessels, and reducing marine plastic pollution. 

At the Opening Ceremony, the 68th U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who initiated the Conference series in 2014, delivered a compelling address, emphasizing the importance of sustained commitment to ocean conservation. In his speech, the former Secretary of State underscored the necessity of transforming pledges into tangible actions, noting, “We can’t just go to conferences and make a pledge and walk away and say, “Well, we have done our part.” We have to make sure that these pledges are implemented.”

Furthermore, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City Park Heong-joon emphasized Busan’s commitment to sustainable ocean practices and highlighted the city’s role as a maritime hub in promoting international cooperation for ocean conservation. Mayor Park Heong-joon’s address underscored the importance of local governments in global efforts to protect marine ecosystems.

In addition, the Opening Ceremony included a performance by the Hado Haenyeo Choir, composed of female divers from Jeju Island, celebrating the deep cultural and spiritual ties that the Korean people share with the sea, further underlining the importance of ocean preservation in the country’s national identity. Notably, the Haenyeo tradition was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2016. 

As the host nation of the 10th Our Ocean Conference, the Republic of Korea reaffirmed its leadership in global ocean governance. Its status as a maritime power is underscored by its strategic location along key East Asian sea routes, a robust shipping industry, and deep cultural and economic ties to the ocean.

The Republic of Korea has long been committed to sustainable ocean management, with policies that prioritize the health of marine ecosystems while supporting the growth of its blue economy. The Korea Blue Action Plan serves as a comprehensive framework, outlining the country’s approach to protecting marine biodiversity, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable fisheries. It also shows the importance of reducing marine pollution, particularly waste, and strengthening ocean-based climate resilience.

In 2025, the Republic of Korea positioned itself as a global leader in using digital technologies to strengthen ocean governance. The country has been at the forefront of promoting the "Digital Oceans", a concept that harnesses satellite data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to boost marine conservation, improve fisheries management, and reduce the environmental footprint of maritime industries. At the Conference, South Korea unveiled a new national initiative to develop an AI-powered system that enables real-time, accurate decision-making for Korean vessels operating worldwide. This system will be made accessible to other countries as well, encouraging greater international cooperation in sharing ocean data.

South Korea’s leadership in ocean governance goes well beyond its own shores. By actively engaging in regional and global platforms like APEC and the East Asia Summit, the country has helped shape international efforts to protect and manage the world’s oceans. A key player in this work is the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), established in 1997, which serves as one of the country’s leading think tanks for ocean research and policy. Through collaborations with organizations such as the International Seabed Authority, KMI has contributed to promoting the sustainable use and exploration of the ocean floor.

Hosting the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan offered South Korea a unique platform to highlight its strong commitment to ocean governance. With a special agenda theme of “Digital Oceans,” the Conference focused on the role of digital technologies in ocean monitoring and management. This emphasis aligns closely with South Korea’s national strategies and reinforces the country’s leadership in advancing innovative and forward-looking approaches to ocean stewardship.

During the Conference, delegates announced 277 new commitments worth around USD 9.1 billion. These pledges covered six key areas of action: the ocean-climate nexus, marine pollution, marine protected areas (MPAs), sustainable fisheries, the blue economy, and maritime security. Notably, Panama pledged to improve transparency in its fisheries sector, while USD 6 billion was directed toward advancing blue economy initiatives. Several countries also committed to ratifying the High Seas Treaty, a major step toward strengthening the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national borders.

A 10-year Progress Report presented during the Conference revealed that since 2014, 43 percent of commitments have been fulfilled, 38 percent are in progress, and 17 percent have yet to be initiated. While this reflects meaningful progress, the Conference also underscored persistent challenges, particularly the need to expand marine protected areas (MPAs) to meet the 30x30 target outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Currently, only 8.3 percent of the ocean is designated as MPAs, and just 2.7 percent falls under strict protection.

The 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan reaffirmed the international community’s dedication to conserving and sustainably managing the world’s oceans. While celebrating the progress achieved over the past decade, participants emphasized the urgent need to accelerate action, strengthen accountability, and embrace innovation to tackle the complex challenges ahead. The Conference laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration and concrete outcomes, setting the tone for the next Our Ocean Conference, to be held in Kenya in 2026.