Seoul to promote sustainable use of oceans at upcoming UNOC in Korea: oceans ministry
Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo speaks at a U.N. plenary meeting in New York, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
The oceans ministry said Wednesday it will promote Korea's commitment to the sustainable use of oceans at the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) slated for June 2028.
On Tuesday (local time), the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution at a plenary meeting held in New York designating Korea and Chile as the two host countries of the UNOC.
Chile will host a high-level event in 2027, before the main event takes place in Korea the following year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said in a release.
The ministry plans to use the opportunity to promote various technologies, industries and policy initiatives related to the sustainable development of ocean and marine resources.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for the successful hosting of the event, the ministry added.
"We plan to use the event as an opportunity to position Korea as a global oceans powerhouse," Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo was quoted as saying.
Marking its fourth edition, the triennial event will be aimed at supporting the implementation of U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Some 15,000 participants from the 193 U.N. member nations, international organizations and non-governmental organizations are expected to attend the conference, according to the oceans ministry.