South Korea to host 4th UN Ocean Conference in 2028

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea will host the 4th United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2028 after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the bid in New York on Dec. 9, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The UN Ocean Conference, held every three years, is the world’s largest high-level maritime meeting, focused on implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources. Organizers expect about 15,000 participants from the UN’s 193 member states, international organizations and non-governmental groups.

The 2028 gathering will take place two years before the 2030 deadline for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, heightening its significance as a forum for shaping post-2030 global ocean governance.

In line with long-standing UN practice of joint stewardship by developed and developing nations, South Korea will co-host the conference with Chile. Seoul and Santiago agreed to the co-hosting arrangement in April 2024.

President Lee Jae Myung pledged the country’s commitment to hosting the event in a keynote address to the UN General Assembly in September. Oceans Minister Jeon Jae-soo attended the latest UN meeting to consolidate international backing for the bid.

As an official UN conference, the agenda and structure will be determined through negotiations among member states, led by South Korea and Chile. The South Korean government said it plans to use the event to showcase its maritime technology, shipbuilding and ocean policy capabilities.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

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