KMI, NRC, and Kangwon National University Hold Joint Academic Conference on "Blue Economy"

Discussion on Carbon Neutrality, Digital Transformation, and Supply Chain Restructuring

The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI, President Cho Jeonghee) announced on the 22nd that, together with the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NRC, Chairman Shin Dongcheon) and the Institute for Management and Economics at Kangwon National University (Director Jeong Kwanghwa), it held the "2025 Joint Academic Conference" at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on the 21st. This academic conference was supported by Kangwon National University and Pukyong National University.

The conference was held under the theme "Blue Economy and Responding to Changes in the Global Business Environment." It served as a platform to explore sustainable growth strategies and policy responses for major industries, including the maritime and fisheries sector, amid external changes such as carbon neutrality, digital transformation, and the restructuring of global supply chains.

In a video welcome address, NRC Chairman Shin Dongcheon stated, "Research institutes, regional universities, and experts came together to discuss issues encompassing industry, trade, and the environment," adding, "I hope this will lay the foundation for joint research and policy collaboration."

KMI President Cho Jeonghee said, "I hope this conference will be a vibrant venue for knowledge exchange among experts in the maritime, fisheries, and international trade sectors," emphasizing, "Seeking development strategies for the Blue Economy as a new growth paradigm amid complex changes is a task for all of us."

The conference began with a keynote presentation, followed by sessions: Division 1 (International Business), Division 2 (International Trade), and a student presentation competition. Division 1 addressed "Industrial Environmental Changes and Responses Based on the Blue Economy," and Division 2 focused on "Changes and Responses in Sustainable Trade Order," with each division featuring four presentations and discussions. A total of 10 teams participated in the student presentation competition.

In the keynote presentation, Lee Sangyeol, Director General for Research Planning and Coordination at the Korea Energy Economics Institute, gave a talk on "Tasks for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the Era of the Energy Trilemma." He presented carbon neutrality strategies from the perspective of the energy trilemma, which considers energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability simultaneously, and stressed that sustainable growth strategies in the maritime, fisheries, and international trade sectors must be closely linked with energy transition policies.

At this conference, there were extensive discussions on strengthening the competitiveness and sustainable growth strategies of the maritime and fisheries sector amid global supply chain uncertainties and stricter environmental regulations. The necessity of transitioning to the Blue Economy and adopting digital technologies was particularly emphasized, and policy and industrial implications for responding to changes in the international trade order were also derived.

A KMI representative stated, "These discussions will serve as a foundation for cooperation to overcome the challenges facing the maritime and fisheries sector and to secure future growth engines."

KMI is hosting a joint academic conference on the theme of the "Blue Economy."

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