First Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference kicks off in Qingdao

Nearly 400 international marine organization leaders from 29 countries and regions, representatives from domestic and foreign marine enterprises, government departments, and research institutions, as well as experts and scholars, convened in Qingdao West Coast New Area to deliberate on the global sustainable development of the oceans in an online-offline hybrid format.

On Feb 26, the first Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference commenced in Qingdao West Coast New Area.

Global leaders gather at the first Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the opening ceremony, the annual progress report of the Cities with the Ocean Platform was unveiled. The report underscored that the Cities with the Ocean Platform, anchored in the United Nations "Ocean Decade" initiative, serves as a nexus for global ocean stakeholders, aiming to bolster the role of coastal cities in sustainable development and foster collaborative, science-based solutions for ocean city governance. This conference stands as a pivotal initiative of the Cities with the Ocean Platform and is poised to deepen collaboration with the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition in support of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

Moreover, Qingdao West Coast New Area, Mombasa in Kenya, Seychelles, and Nice in France shared their respective practical experiences and cutting-edge practices in global marine ecological conservation, showcasing the measures they have taken and accomplishments they have achieved in managing marine debris, conserving biodiversity, and cultivating green, low-carbon marine ecosystems.

Among these, the marine ecological protection and restoration cases in Qingdao West Coast New Area stand out as a beacon, offering insights and solutions for the sustainable development of coastal cities worldwide.