Nearly 700 representatives and experts from ocean-related international organizations, government agencies, universities, research institutes, and enterprises across 68 countries and regions gathered in the 2025 Global Ocean Development Forum, which recently concluded in Qingdao, to put on more focus on exchanges and cooperation in marine economy, science and technology, integrated governance and culture among other fields and seek maritime prosperity.

The secretariat of the “Coastal Cities” platform under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development was launched in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao in the opening ceremony, in an indication that China’s first city-level cooperation platform under the UN Decade of Ocean Science framework has been put into operation in a substantive manner.

At the Mayors' Dialogue of Coastal Cities, the Qingdao Initiative for Global Blue Partnerships was released to invite worldwide players to establish a global blue partnership network where cities play a pivotal core. The Blue Economy Development Alliance of the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform was also launched during the event.

Fruitful outcomes were reaped in the forum, including the 2025 Qingdao Consensus on Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration and the Qingdao Initiative for Young Maritime Professionals. Qingdao will make more contributions to building a maritime community with a shared future and protecting our blue planet. (Li Xunxiang)

The opening ceremony of the 2025 Global Ocean Development Forum. By Han Xing