Busan is good

The 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) Successfully Concludes in Global Maritime Hub City, Busan

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□ The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), held from April 28 to 30 at BEXCO, concluded successfully with over 2,300 participants from more than 100 countries.

○ Commemorating its 10th anniversary, the OOC convened in Busan and served as a platform for world governments, international organizations, NGOs, and business leaders to gather and reaffirm their commitments to addressing ocean challenges such as marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and climate crisis response.

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□ Through this event, Busan showcased diverse achievements, including:
▲ Leading the marine digital agenda and strengthening pledge implementation
▲ Promoting the circular economy model globally
▲ Expanding cooperation with key international organizations such as the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the European Union (EU)
▲ Presenting visions for future-oriented marine industries and tourism environments

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□ Notably, Busan became the first local government to submit and implement voluntary commitments for three consecutive years (8th, 9th, and 10th OOC), solidifying its reputation in the international community as a city dedicated to marine environmental responsibility.

○ Building on the special theme of this year’s conference, “Marine Digitalization,” Busan enhanced its commitment from the 8th OOC regarding marine fine dust research using “BusanSat” and submitted new digital-driven pledges at the 10th OOC:
▲ Establishing a data-based intelligent marine environment management platform
▲ Implementing the construction of future-oriented marine cleanup vessels

○ These initiatives position Busan as a model for digital innovation in ocean governance, reinforcing its competitiveness and accountability as a high-tech maritime city.

○ During the three-day conference, a total of 277 new voluntary commitments were announced, bringing the cumulative total to 2,895.

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□ The OOC also yielded meaningful international cooperation outcomes for Busan, setting new milestones in global ocean governance and reaffirming the city’s leadership role in marine protection efforts.

○ At a GGGI-led forum, discussions focused on restoring blue carbon ecosystems and maritime decarbonization strategies. Mayor Park introduced Busan’s cutting-edge approaches, such as eco-friendly ship development, autonomous navigation technology, and blue carbon ecosystems, highlighting the city’s leadership in advancing a sustainable marine economy and contributing to global carbon neutrality goals.
*Blue Carbon: Carbon absorbed by coastal and marine ecosystems such as tidal flats, seagrasses, and salt marshes

○ Additionally, a high-level meeting with the EU and 11 member states further strengthened Busan’s cooperative ties with major global partners.

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□ To promote public engagement with the OOC, the city coordinated pre-conference events with local companies and civic groups aligned with the conference’s goals.

○ A citizen-participatory marine waste collection campaign was launched with regional businesses and the Korea Maritime Rescue Association, promoting local involvement in marine protection and circular economy initiatives.

○ Busan set a precedent for expanding civic participation in international conferences by showcasing a model of co-practice between local government and citizens in sustainable marine environmental protection.

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□ Based on the outcomes of this OOC, Busan plans to:
▲ Begin full-scale preparations for the 2026 PNLG (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia) Local Government Network Forum
▲ Vigorously pursue hosting the 2028 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Korea

○ With the successful hosting of this year’s OOC, Busan aims to lead future global dialogues on ocean governance and solidify its status as a central city in international marine cooperation.

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□ Mayor Park Heong-joon stated,
“Busan is a city that has grown alongside the ocean, in the past and into the future.
We will continue to advance as a sustainable global maritime hub by uniting global ocean policy, digital marine technology, and public-private cooperation.”