Busan to Take Center Stage on Global Maritime Issues in 2028... Selected as Host City for the 4th UN Ocean Conference

20,000 Gather in Busan, Including Representatives from 193 UN Member States

Discussing the Marine Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainable Oceans

Busan will become the stage where the direction of global maritime policy for 2028 is determined.

Approximately 20,000 participants, including representatives from the governments of 193 UN member states, as well as international organizations, businesses, academia, and civil society, are expected to gather in Busan to discuss key global maritime issues such as the marine environment and responses to climate change.

The Busan Metropolitan Government (Mayor Jeon Jaesoo) announced on August 11 that Busan has been officially selected as the host city for the '4th UN Ocean Conference (UNOC4)', scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea in June 2028.

Busan was chosen as the final host city after competing with Jeju in the city selection contest held on August 10 at the Seoul branch of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service.

The UN Ocean Conference is the United Nations’ highest-level international meeting aimed at promoting the implementation of SDG 14, 'Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources', one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The conference is held every three years, and the 4th conference will be co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and Chile. The main conference will take place in Busan in June 2028.

This upcoming conference is especially noteworthy as it will take place just two years ahead of the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The international community will review progress in addressing maritime challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and marine ecosystem conservation, and discuss directions for international cooperation to ensure a sustainable maritime future beyond 2030.

With about 20,000 attendees expected, including governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, and industry representatives from around the world, the event is expected to be a large-scale international conference addressing global maritime issues.

Busan is Korea’s leading maritime city, where major marine industries such as shipping, port logistics, shipbuilding, and fisheries are clustered around its world-class port. The city also possesses strong capabilities in marine science and technology, research, and education.

Busan’s experience in hosting international maritime events strengthened its bid. Last year, Busan hosted the Our Ocean Conference (OOC10), and the city has expanded its global maritime cooperation through collaboration with international maritime city networks such as the Partnership in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments (PNLG).

The city believes that its previous experience holding large-scale international events such as the APEC Summit and the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit, as well as its exhibition and convention infrastructure, were highly valued during the selection process.

The Busan Metropolitan Government intends to use the upcoming UN Ocean Conference as an opportunity to share Korea’s maritime policies and experiences with the world. The plan is to showcase Busan’s policies and best practices in maritime, port, fisheries, and marine science and technology to the international community, and to make the conference a venue for discussions among governments, international organizations, businesses, universities, and research institutes on the sustainable future of our oceans.

This is also linked with the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. The city plans to establish itself as the center of Korea’s maritime policy and international maritime cooperation, and to reinforce connections between the global maritime cooperation network and local maritime industries, technology, and talent so that the conference’s outcomes will continue even after it ends.

There are further plans to connect this conference with other major international events in Busan in 2028. Since both the UN Ocean Conference and World Design Capital (WDC) will be held in Busan in the same year, the city plans to promote its competitiveness by integrating marine environmental protection and sustainable development with design. By doing so, Busan aims to spread the benefits not only in tourism and the MICE industry but also in local maritime and design industries, resulting in tangible benefits for citizens.

Jeon Jaesoo, Mayor of Busan, stated, "Busan's selection as the host city for the 4th UN Ocean Conference is recognition of the city’s capabilities as Korea’s representative maritime city. We will work closely with the central government to prepare, so that this conference will be a success that further advances solidarity and action in the international community."

He emphasized, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the world’s maritime cities, international organizations, businesses, and research institutes will gather in Busan to explore a sustainable future for our oceans, and that these outcomes will lead to expanded international cooperation and the advancement of Busan’s maritime industry."

Busan City Hall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.