On October 24, the 2024 Marine Cooperation and Development Forum kicked off in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, Shandong Province, attracting 667 representatives from marine organizations, government agencies, and research institutions across 41 countries and regions. The forum aims to foster discussions on promoting more open, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable ocean cooperation.

Jorge Maurício dos Santos, the Minister of the Sea of Cape Verde, emphasized that sustainable development of the oceans is essential for achieving prosperity and equality for humanity. He pointed out that issues such as pollution and overfishing pose significant threats to ocean health. “Protecting the oceans is a shared responsibility of all nations,” he stated, expressing Cape Verde’s willingness to work with the international community to build an ocean ecological civilization.

Echoing these sentiments, Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, remarked, “Without healthy oceans, there can be no healthy planet.” He highlighted that ocean protection is an urgent task facing humanity today and that addressing oceanic ecological issues must be grounded in marine science. Thomson noted that the international community is increasingly recognizing the challenges of marine conservation and has begun to implement measures in fisheries and pollution control.

In his address, Shandong Provincial Party Secretary Lin Wu stated his commitment to fostering collaboration in marine economic development, enhancing marine scientific innovation, and protecting marine ecosystems. “We aim to explore new pathways for green marine development and expand cultural exchanges,” he said, calling for the formation of high-level “blue partnerships” to achieve shared visions through win-win cooperation.

During the forum, the “2024 Qingdao Initiative” was launched, highlighting the signing of thirty key marine projects in Shandong Province with a total investment of 65.6 billion RMB.

As one of the three provincial and ministerial-level forums retained by Shandong, the 2024 Marine Cooperation and Development Forum is an enhancement of both the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Qingdao Forum and the Northeast Asia Local Governments Union on Marine and Fisheries Committee initiatives. The event features twelve segments, including the East Asia Marine Cooperation Platform Qingdao Dialogue.

Hosted by the Shandong Provincial People’s Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources, the forum’s organizing bodies include the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and various local agencies, operating under the theme “From Blue to Future—Creating Healthy and Prosperous Oceans for a Sustainable Future.”