Leaders from the global shipping and shipbuilding sectors are convening in Busan to discuss key issues in international maritime affairs.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on October 25 that it will co-host the '2026 World Maritime Day Commemorative Event' with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX) from October 26 to 27.
World Maritime Day was established in 1978 to commemorate the IMO's founding convention, with the commemorative events being jointly hosted by a member country approved by the IMO Council.
This year's event marks the third time World Maritime Day is being held in Asia, following Singapore in 2006 and Japan in 2015, and it is the largest international shipping and shipbuilding event since the Ministry's relocation to Busan.
More than 400 participants from 50 countries, including IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, heads of international organizations, and senior officials from major shipping nations, will attend. The event will feature four sessions focused on the theme 'From Policy to Implementation,' where high-level government officials and experts will engage in in-depth discussions.
Following the commemorative event, 'Korean Maritime Week' will take place from October 28 to 29. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Korean Maritime Week has evolved into a world-class international exchange program based on the development of the maritime industry and achievements in international cooperation.
During Maritime Week, various programs will be held, including the 'International Forum on Advanced Marine Mobility,' which will share insights on the future of vessel development; the 'Asia-Pacific Marine Digital International Conference,' one of the world's top three marine digital conferences; the 'Decarbonization Forum,' aimed at exploring the foundation for establishing green shipping routes; and a 'Mock IMO Assembly' to discover talent for the IMO.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo expressed his pleasure at hosting the World Maritime Day commemorative event and the 20th Korean Maritime Week in Busan, a significant year marking the 150th anniversary of Busan Port's opening and the 30th anniversary of the Ministry's establishment. He stated, 'I hope this event serves as a platform for solidarity towards a new transition in the international maritime sector and that it becomes an opportunity for our country to fulfill its leading role in the international community as a maritime powerhouse.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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