Busan is good

Busan Hosts the Global Ocean City Innovation Network Forum Today (30th)

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced today (April 30) the hosting of the Global Ocean City Innovation Network Forum, as well as Busan’s official designation as the host city of the 2026 PNLG Forum, marking a significant step in strengthening global ocean city collaboration.

The Global Ocean City Innovation Network Forum, held as an official side event of the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), will take place at 10:50 AM today at BEXCO.

This forum is co-hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), with participation from PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia) and global marine cities and international organizations.

Discussions will focus on strategies for the digital transformation and sustainable development of ocean cities.

Key speakers include:

• ●Hiroo Ichikawa, Executive Director of the Mori Memorial Foundation, presenting on innovation and competitiveness of global ocean cities (based on the Global Power City Index)

• ●Erik W. Jakobsen, Chair of Menon Economics, offering a competitiveness analysis of major ocean cities

• ●Aimee T. Gonzales, Executive Director of PEMSEA, speaking on East Asia’s ocean economy strategies

• ●Prof. Guo Jing of Ocean University of China, on innovative urban ocean development frameworks in China

• ●Sim Sung-tae, Director-General of the Maritime, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau of Busan, on Busan’s digital transformation strategies as a global ocean city

A panel discussion will follow, moderated by Jo Jung-hee, President of KMI.

Busan will use this opportunity to present its strategies for digital maritime leadership and propose regularizing the Global Ocean City Innovation Network, expanding policy exchanges and building collaborative frameworks to tackle global maritime issues.

Additionally, Busan will officially host the 2026 PNLG Forum, a regional forum led by local governments under PEMSEA.

By continuing from the Our Ocean Conference, Busan ensures continuity in ocean governance through public-private partnerships.

The PNLG Forum is an annual event involving local governments in East Asia and aims to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable coastal use.

Busan will also hold bilateral meetings with PEMSEA and member countries’ delegations during the OOC to prepare for the 2026 event.

Busan previously attended the 2024 PNLG Forum and held an online meeting with PEMSEA’s Secretariat this January to advance discussions.

Representatives from other Korean PNLG cities, such as Changwon and Ansan, will also participate to explore stronger intergovernmental cooperation and joint initiatives.

The PNLG Forum gives host cities the ability to take the lead in setting the agenda and program.

Busan plans to propose key topics such as marine litter, coastal resilience, and blue carbon, facilitating substantial policy discussions.

This forum will help position Busan as a leading city in global marine cooperation, contributing to sustainable ocean solutions and promoting international recognition of Busan’s role in ocean governance.

Sim Sung-tae, Director-General of the Maritime, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau, stated:

“The Global Ocean City Innovation Network Forum marks the beginning of a global movement for digital transformation and solidarity among ocean cities.
Busan will continue striving to become a global maritime hub through the fusion of ocean and digital innovation.”

He added:

“The PNLG is a key platform for local governments to lead marine cooperation. Hosting the forum will allow Busan to become the core of East Asian maritime collaboration and present practical solutions for pressing marine issues, further strengthening our leadership in ocean governance.”

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Appendix 1 – Forum Overview

Forum Title: Global Ocean City Innovation Network Forum
Date/Time: April 30, 2025, 10:50–12:20
Venue: BEXCO
Language: English
Hosted by: Busan Metropolitan City, Korea Maritime Institute
With participation from: PEMSEA, global ocean cities, international organizations

Program Outline:

Time	Content
10:50–11:00	Opening Remarks (Video from Busan Mayor)
11:00–11:50	Presentations on:

• ●Competitiveness & Innovation in Ocean Cities

• ●Ocean Economy Strategies (East Asia & China)

• ●Digital Maritime Innovation | | 11:50–12:15 | Panel Discussion on Digital Transformation & Sustainable Ocean Development (Moderator: KMI President) | | 12:20 | Networking and Commemorative Photo |

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Appendix 2 – Overview of PEMSEA and PNLG

PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia)

• ●Purpose: Ecosystem protection and sustainable coastal use in East Asian seas (Yellow Sea, South China Sea, East China Sea, Sulu-Celebes Sea, etc.)

• ●Founded: 1994 (Supported by GEF, executed by UNDP, under IMO)

• ●Members: 10 countries + 22 non-state partners (e.g., KMI, KOEM, KIOST)

PNLG (PEMSEA Network of Local Governments)

• ●Members: 57 cities

• ●Busan’s Involvement:

• ○Attended: 2021 (online), 2022 (marine waste policy), 2024 (host promotion at OOC)

• ○Will host the 2026 PNLG Forum