At the 5th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oceans, member countries agreed to establish a roadmap for enhancing ocean resilience.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on 1st, as the host country for the 2025 APEC Summit, South Korea held its first sectoral ministerial meeting at this event, which was attended by over 150 senior officials, including Zelta Wong, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs of Papua New Guinea, and heads and deputy heads of ocean and fisheries ministries from 21 APEC economies.
The theme of the meeting was 'Sailing toward our blue future - consolidation, innovation, and prosperity.' Various agendas were discussed at the meeting, including climate change response, marine debris management, eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and enhancing marine cooperation using innovative technologies.
Member states agreed to start discussions on establishing the 'APEC roadmap for enhancing ocean resilience' proposed by South Korea. Additionally, member states expressed their understanding of the importance of the recently adopted 'Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement' and the 'World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement,' and decided to strengthen international and regional cooperation to address marine debris issues.
In addition, it was decided to actively utilize the Marine Environmental Education and Training Center (AMETEC), established during the 1st APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oceans, as a hub for marine education in the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions on regularizing the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oceans will also continue.
However, the outcome document of the meeting, which had been expected to adopt a joint statement, was announced under the name of 'Chair's Statement.' The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries explained that there were differing views on some international political issues.
Minister Gang Do-hyung noted, 'This meeting was a meaningful opportunity to present a new vision for future maritime cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region,' and stated, 'South Korea will continue to play a leading role in the international community's efforts for a sustainable ocean future.'