On October 17, a forum with "blue" as its thematic hue—the Forum on Marine Climate Change and High-Quality Development of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee was held at the Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center. The opening ceremony and keynote speech were presided over by Mr. Liang Dong, Deputy Mayor of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee. Distinguished guests in attendance included H. E. Yuan Yi, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress; H.E. Alexander Teabo, Minister of Information, Communication and Transport, Kiribati; H.E. Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives; H.E. David Teaabo, Kiribati Ambassador to China; H.E. Samnane Sonthany, Member of Standing Committee of Luang Prabang Provincial Committee, Secretary Party of Luang Prabang City, Laos; Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO for Regional Office for East Asia and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia and ROK (via video message). 

 

　 

Forum Site

　

As a key part of the 2025 World Maritime Equipment Conference, the Forum brought together about 120 participants, including members and advisers of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, representatives of international organizations, officials from foreign embassies and consulates in China, delegates from Fuzhou's friendship cities and cities with friendly exchange relations, as well as experts, scholars, and business leaders from home and abroad. The Forum, focusing on marine climate change, explored new ideas and new paths for the impact of oceans on climate change, marine resource conservation and development, marine disaster prevention, mitigation, loss reduction and efficiency enhancement, marine scientific and technological innovation and international cooperation, the integrated development of digital economy and marine economy, as well as meteorological services supporting the development of marine economy. Through the in-depth sharing of innovative practices, the Forum will accelerate the marine ecological process, advance marine scientific and technological innovation, and promote the high-quality development of marine economy. 

H.E.Yuan Yi, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress, said in his speech that the marine economy has become an important support for Fujian's high-quality development. There is still a long way to go to address climate change and promote sustainable development. Fujian Province will take this Forum as an opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all parties at home and abroad, draw on advanced experience and technology, continue to the strengthen capabilities in marine climate governance, and promote higher quality and more sustainable development of marine economy. 

At the Forum, the most urgent calls came from maritime nations profoundly affected by climate change. H.E. Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives, stated in his speech that marine climate change poses a common challenge that necessitates solutions based on cooperative models and characteristics of the 21st century. The endeavors undertaken by the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, along with the spirit of cooperation embodied in the Belt and Road Initiative, provide us with a crucial platform. We should translate partnerships into tangible actions to ensure a sustainable future. 

　　  

H.E. Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives delivered a speech

　　

      

H.E. Samnane Sonthany, Member of Standing Committee of Luang Prabang Provincial Committee, Secretary Party of Luang Prabang City, Laos delivered a speech　　

     

Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO for Regional Office for East Asia and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia and ROK delivered a speech via video　　

The ocean is a critical factor influencing global climate and an essential space for human survival and development. Due to global warming, both the marine ecological environment and human survival and development face severe challenges. Strengthening the protection of the marine ecosystems, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable urban development are essential pathways to accelerate the development of a strong maritime country and a maritime community with a shared future. 

Facing these severe challenges, the Forum also outlined a future vision for marine economic growth driven by technological innovation. During the Keynote Speech, representatives from the government and the business sector presented practical insights and proposed potential solutions. 

H.E. Alexander Teabo, Minister of Information, Communication and Transport, Kiribati, pointed out that climate change, pollution, and overexploitation are posing severe threats to the marine upon which we depend on. Addressing these challenges requires countries to uphold the principles of mutual respect and shared responsibility, pool global strengths to protect ocean health. 

     

H.E. Alexander Teabo, Minister of Information, Communication and Transport, Kiribati delivered a speech

 

Mr. Luo Bing, Director General of Huafeng Meteorological Media Group, proposed to strengthen global meteorological service capabilities for oceanic routing by establishing a navigation platform on the cloud, an automatic navigation system on ship, a mobile navigation application, a service support system at CMRC, a global monitoring and forecasting system, and an accompanied service team. This comprehensive approach aims to strengthen global marine meteorological navigation capabilities, ensure maritime traffic safety, and therefore promoting high-quality development of the marine economy. 

　　     

Mr. Luo Bing, Director General of Huafeng Meteorological Media Group delivered a speech

　　

Mr. Wang Tong, Product Planning Director of Goldwind, suggested that offshore wind power has strong development potential and serves as a key driver in global climate governance, thus driving synergistic development of climate protection and high-quality economy. 

     

Mr. Wang Tong, Product Planning Director of Goldwind delivered a speech

During the Panel Discussion, the shift in mindset from “responding to crises” to “shaping the future” emerged as the central theme. Participants unanimously agreed that the future of cities is inseparable from the future of the ocean. A consensus was reached that the ocean connects us all, binding our fates together. In facing the challenges it brings, only by working together in solidarity can we ensure steady and sustained progress. 

　     

　　Panel Discussion

On the enduring journey to safeguarding our “blue homeland”, China has been consistently contributing its wisdom and strength. The 21st Century Maritime Cooperation Committee is a standing committee of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific, jointly initiated by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government. The site and the secretariat of the Committee is permanently located in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. As a vital platform for advancing international maritime cooperation, the committee has expanded to include 77 members from 29 countries in five continents. Aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, it has established an inclusive, shared, and sustainable platform for exchange and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, continuously making new achievements in practical cooperation among local governments along the Maritime Silk Road. 

During the event, attendees will also participate in supporting activities of World Maritime Equipment Conference 2025 and conduct on-site visits to further deepen exchanges and cooperation. 

Source: 21CMCC