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Busan Selected as Host City for the 2028 Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference!

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that Busan has been officially selected as the host city for the Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC4), to be held in the Republic of Korea in June 2028.

Busan was selected as the final host city on August 10 after competing with Jeju in the host city selection process held at the Seoul Regional Office of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service.

The UN Ocean Conference is the United Nations’ highest-level international conference held every three years to advance implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water,” which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.

The Fourth Conference will be co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and Chile, with the main conference taking place in Busan in June 2028.

As the conference will be held just two years before the 2030 deadline for achieving the SDGs, it is expected to provide an important opportunity to review the international community’s progress on major ocean issues, including climate change, marine pollution and marine ecosystem conservation, and to discuss directions for cooperation toward a sustainable ocean future beyond 2030.

Approximately 20,000 participants are expected to attend, including representatives from the 193 United Nations Member States, governments around the world, international organizations, civil society, academia and industry, making it a major international conference for discussion of the global ocean agenda.

Busan is the Republic of Korea’s leading maritime city, with marine industries including shipping, ports, shipbuilding and fisheries concentrated around its world-class port, as well as strong capabilities in marine science and technology, research and education.

In particular, Busan successfully hosted the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC10) last year and has continued to cooperate with international networks of maritime cities, including the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG), thereby expanding its foundation for global ocean cooperation.

Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is an international regional cooperation organization for the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), comprising 11 member countries and 21 non-country partners.

Busan’s strong foundation as a maritime city and its experience in international cooperation, together with its proven capacity to host major international events such as the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, as well as its outstanding exhibition and convention infrastructure, are considered to have been highly regarded during the host city selection process.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to make the Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference an opportunity to share the Republic of Korea’s marine policies and experience with the world and to expand solidarity and action within the international community to address global ocean issues.

The city will share its policies and best practices in the fields of oceans, ports, fisheries, and marine science and technology with the international community, while creating a platform where countries, international organizations, companies, universities and research institutions can come together to discuss and cooperate on a sustainable ocean future.

In connection with the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, the city also plans to develop Busan into a hub for the Republic of Korea’s marine policy and international ocean cooperation. It will strengthen links among global ocean cooperation networks and the marine industry, technology and talent to ensure that the outcomes of UNOC4 continue well beyond the conference itself.

With major international events including UNOC4 and World Design Capital (WDC) scheduled to take place in Busan in 2028, the city expects to showcase to the world its competitiveness and appeal as a city that connects marine environmental protection and sustainable development with design.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to use these opportunities to further enhance Busan’s city brand and create tangible benefits for residents by linking them not only with the tourism and MICE industries but also with the local marine and design industries.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “Busan’s selection as the host city for the Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference represents international recognition of the city’s capabilities as the Republic of Korea’s leading maritime city. We will work closely with the central government and prepare thoroughly to ensure that the conference is a success and advances international solidarity and action to the next level.”

He added, “We will do our utmost to ensure that maritime cities, international organizations, companies and research institutions from around the world come together in Busan to explore a sustainable future for the ocean, and that the outcomes lead to expanded international cooperation and the further development of Busan’s marine industries.”