Busan: A major global maritime conference kicked off in Republic of Korea’s southeastern port city of Busan to provide a platform for international discussions on the sustainable future of the ocean. The 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) set sail under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action” for a two-day run at BEXCO, about 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
According to Lao News Agency, around 2,300 officials, including government delegates from 100 countries and the leaders of international institutions and nongovernmental organizations, have joined the event, as reported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Among the notable participants are former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who played a key role in establishing the conference, and Peter Thomson, the United Nations (U.N.) secretary-general’s special envoy for the ocean.
Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung highlighted the urgency of addressing ocean-related issues in his opening speech. He noted that many people are currently facing threats to their livelihoods and homes due to rising sea levels, marine garbage, and the depletion of fishery resources. To combat these challenges, he emphasized the need for a more concrete and innovative action plan.
