Maritime forum demonstrates effort across the world to protect oceans

The 2023 World Ocean Week concludes in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in the global effort to strengthen maritime cooperation and sustainability.

The event, through the release of new projects and research reports, the establishment of new partnerships and the proposal of new initiatives, exemplified the dedication of global participants in discovering innovative solutions to urgent oceanic issues.

During the week, the digital deep-sea typical habitats program was launched and became open to the global community, marking the initiation of China's first major scientific program in the field of deep-sea ecosystems under the framework of the United Nations.

The program, with 39 countries and regions and 64 institutions involved, will employ advanced technologies to conduct deep-sea scientific expeditions, establish intelligent observation systems, and assist the exchange of data and samples.

It will focus on the most vulnerable areas in deep-sea ecosystems that are prone to disturbances caused by human activities and global changes, including seamounts, mid-oceanic ridges, trenches, deep-sea plains and polar regions in the next 10 years.

In addition, the Blue Citizens Initiative was officially launched to cultivate responsible and ocean-literate individuals who can share the benefits provided by the ocean. It aims to promote policies, support the growth of individuals who are knowledgeable about the ocean through diverse plans, projects and activities, and enhance ocean cooperation to address the challenges facing the global ocean.

It was jointly launched by China's Ministry of Natural Resources; the Cambodian ministry of environment; the Indonesian National Agency for Research and Innovation; the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; the Solomon Islands and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in the West Pacific Sub-Commission.

Also during the week, the Blue Partnership Action Fund, initiated by Chinese charity foundations, announced the second batch of funded projects, including six marine conservation projects implemented in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia.

These projects will include such actions as mangrove protection and restoration, research on waste management mechanisms, marine ecology and migratory species conservation, and public awareness of coastal nature.

More than 30 project partners shared their achievements in fields such as coastal wetland restoration and protection, marine litter management, biodiversity and species conservation.

Also, the 2023 China Ocean Development Index Report was released during the week. It showed that the Ocean Development Index of China reached 120.6 in 2022, with a year-on-year growth of 2.5 percent, indicating stable and high-quality development of its maritime sector.

According to the Xiamen city government, one of the sponsors, World Ocean Week has engaged in more than 40 activities in three main areas, including forums, exhibitions and a cultural carnival.

Grown from a local forum to a global event, World Ocean Week in Xiamen has attracted officials and experts from around 130 countries and regions, as well as representatives from nearly 20 major international organizations across 18 sessions. The total number of attendees has surpassed 2 million.

The coastal city of Xiamen is planning to become an important base for marine research and development in the southeastern region of China, as well as an international hub port and marine tourism center, according to the local government.