The 17th World Ocean Forum Opens on the 24th... Proposing a New Phase for the Global Blue Economy

April 24-26 at Lotte Hotel Busan, Experts Discuss Blue Technology Major Theme

14 Sessions Covering All Marine Fields for Future Prospects and Communication

Busan City will host the ‘2023 17th World Ocean Forum (WOF)’ at Lotte Hotel Busan from the 24th to the 26th.

Official poster of the 17th World Ocean Forum (WOF).

After three years of online and hybrid operations due to COVID-19, the event will return to a fully in-person format.

This forum brings together global experts from international organizations, public institutions, global companies, and research institutes to discuss and communicate the future and prospects of all marine sectors including shipping, ports, fisheries, shipbuilding, marine science, marine policy, marine humanities, and marine design.

This year’s main theme is ‘Bluetechnomy,’ which proposes leading a new phase of the global marine blue economy with eco-friendly (Blue) advanced technology (Tech) in the era of decarbonization and digitalization accelerated after COVID-19 and the great energy transition.

Starting with the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. on the 24th, the three-day event will consist of 14 sessions including keynote speeches, marine policy, marine finance, marine city networks, SMR vessels, shipbuilding and marine, shipping and ports, fisheries, marine bio, cruise, marine humanities, marine design, KIOST special, and epilogue.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Mayor Park Hyung-jun and other key figures, and 89 speakers from 11 countries will participate in presentations and discussions during the sessions.

A highlight of this year’s forum is the keynote speech by Jeremy Rifkin, a renowned activist economist and civilization critic, who will present future scenarios for South Korea and the ocean online at the 17th World Ocean Forum.

Jeremy Rifkin, founder and chairman of the Foundation on Economic Trends (FOET) in the U.S., has advised the European Union (EU) leadership since 2000, significantly influencing the introduction of the smart green third industrial revolution economy and providing an economic blueprint for the transition to a decarbonized ecological society across the EU.

He has also advised Chinese leadership on building and expanding internet and third industrial revolution infrastructure to lead a sustainable low-carbon economy, proposing visions for China’s 13th Five-Year Plan and strategic shifts.

All programs except the opening ceremony are open to the public, and detailed information on speakers and session schedules can be found on the World Ocean Forum website.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun stated, “I hope this ocean forum will respond to the paradigm shift in the marine industry, provide direction for the future of the marine sector, and lay the foundation for a new milestone in South Korea’s marine policy.” He added, “Various sessions and campaigns are prepared, so I ask for the active interest and participation of citizens.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.