With the theme “Harmonious Co-existence in the Ocean Decade”, the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Qingdao Forum was held in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao from June 28 to June 30. Over 400 guests from more than 30 countries and regions, including ocean experts, economists and entrepreneurs, discussed marine cooperation matters of vital importance and tried to co-shape the outlook for marine development via both online and offline channels.

In the opening ceremony, the “Ocean Decade” Qingdao Initiative was officially released, and the Shandong Provincial Marine Science and Technology Achievement Transfer and Transformation Center (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance) and the “Ocean Decade” International Marine Scenarios Innovation and Cooperation Center were unveiled. Guests such as Peter Thompson, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the ocean made keynote speeches in the main forum. The 2023 East Asia Marine Expo was held in the same period. Furthermore, the forum was granted the title of “zero carbon conference” and the carbon neutrality certificate.

Availing itself of the “Ocean Decade”, the most important global marine science initiative launched by the United Nations and the establishment of the “Ocean Decade” International Cooperation Center in Qingdao, the forum focused on “a healthy and resilient ocean”, which is among the 7 Ocean Decade outcomes. It was aimed at spreading China’s solutions and typical cases regarding marine ecological progress, facilitating the construction of the Shandong pilot area for green low-carbon high-quality development and helping fulfill the “Ocean Decade” vision launched by the UN by displaying China’s high-quality development and international cooperation achievements in the ocean field in a collective manner and exchanging international experience and technological achievements in the health ocean strategy and sustainable development.

The Qingdao Forum, an important part of the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform, has been successfully held for 6 times before, in which a combined 26 significant reports or indices were released, 9 international cooperation alliances or coordination agencies such as the East Asia Ports Alliance were established and close to 1,400 companies and institutions from more than 70 countries and regions were drawn to participation.  (Wang Kai)

The release of the “Ocean Decade” Qingdao Initiative.  By Wang Kai

The 2023 East Asia Marine Expo.  By Wang Kai