(NEWS) The Economist - 12th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo

The Economist - 12th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo

From 11 to 17 March, a delegation from the World Maritime University - Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) team hosted and contributed to a series of ocean literacy and capacity development activities in Tokyo, Japan. This was in connection to the invitation by The Economist Impact to be an official partner of the 12th Annual World Ocean Summit and Expo held in Tokyo 12-13 March.

The World Island Forum

On 11 March, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of WMU, and the WMU-GOI team participated in the World Island Forum High Level Roundtable, co-hosted by The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. This international conference, chaired by Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, aimed to explore the role of philanthropy in supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) worldwide, particularly in the Pacific region. The forum convened Government leaders from SIDS, experts and representatives from UN agencies, regional and international ocean organizations, as well as from global financial institutions, philanthropic organizations and non-governmental organizations. WMU engaged in the discussions and WMU-GOI Director, Professor Ronan Long, made a presentation about WMU research programmes and the importance of education, capacity development and partnerships towards tackling the triple planetary crisis (climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution). Additional topics included challenges that the ocean faces and the importance of ratification of international agreements such as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

The Economist, 12th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo

At The Economist Impact 12th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo, held from 12 to 13 March at the Ana Intercontinental Tokyo, hosted by The Nippon Foundation, WMU contributed as an official supporter, co-hosting a Strategy Session, a How-to-Workshop, and engaging attendees through a dedicated exhibition booth. The Summit featured hundreds of expert speakers with an agenda focused on “the transition to a sustainable ocean economy, ocean stewardship, strategies to restore ocean health, advancements in marine technology and collaborative efforts to address ocean pollution”.

The Strategy Session on 13 March, titled “Ocean governance: designing solutions to the triple planetary crisis,” was co-hosted under WMU-GOI´s Future Ocean Programme and addressed the role of international legal frameworks in enhancing environmental resilience and operational sustainability in SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Moderated by Charlotte Howard – Executive Director and New York Bureau Chief for The Economist , the session featured WMU-GOI Professor Ronán Long and Assistant Professor Tafsir Matin Johansson, alongside Professor Nilufer Oral from the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, and Ms. Fae Sapsford from the Sargasso Sea Commission. The session included a diverse audience of more than 100 experts from various ocean related sectors including government, UN agencies as well as international and regional organizations and civil society.

On the same day, the How-to Workshop, titled “How to realize the opportunities for Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) under the BBNJ Agreement” and hosted under the Ireland & WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, focused on supporting SIDS in ratifying and implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The interactive session brought together 55 participants, with expert speakers including WMU Associate Professor Dr. Zhen Sun, Ambassador Jerry Enoe from the Government of Grenada and Special Envoy for Ocean, and experts on ratification, capacity development and financing from the High Seas Alliance including Asia Lead, Ms. Rizza Sacra-Dejucos, and Ocean Lead from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Ms. Angelique Pouponneau.

Throughout the summit, the WMU-GOI’s booth in the expo hall served as a hub for engagement featuring interactive networking sessions, presentations, and discussions around WMU’s academic programmes, key research initiatives, and ocean outreach efforts. These exchanges raised awareness about the work of WMU and sparked discussions that will influence concrete initiatives for future development.

Beach Clean-up with Friends of WMU Japan

Environmental outreach remained central to the visit with a Beach Clean-up organized on 15 March at Kasai Marine Park. Co-organized with the WMU Japanese Fellows’ Alumni Association, and supported by the Friends of WMU Japan, the event brought together WMU alumni together with representatives of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, The Nippon Foundation and the Thalassa Foundation. The group collected 20 bags of garbage, complementing the Summit's focus on advancing a sustainable ocean economy. Professor Long emphasized the importance of each individual's responsibility in protecting the Ocean and how partnerships and efforts such as the cleanup can spark action for Communities. The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation have long standing experience and strong commitment to clean ups and host annual world championships, titled SpoGomi, with the aim of improving the health of the oceans. More information found here https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02315/.

Bilateral Meetings and Research Symposium

In addition to the Summit and outreach activities, the WMU delegation hosted bilateral meetings with key partners in Japan to discuss ocean matters and future collaboration opportunities. This included an inspiring meeting with Chairman Yohei Sasakawa of The Nippon Foundation who encouraged more efforts to promote healthy oceans. A meeting with Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno, provided the opportunity to present the work of WMU and the Institute. Further, the team had a courtesy meeting at The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) with President Kenichiro Sasae, Director Masao Kochi, and Ambassador Futoshi Matsumoto. The mission concluded with a research symposium at the United Nations University (UNU) on 17 March, where the WMU-GOI introduced UNU students to the Future Ocean Research Programme and BBNJ Clinic Programme.

Overall it was a highly successful mission and more information about and photos from activities and the efforts can be found on the Future Ocean Programme website and the BBNJ Clinic Programme website.

About the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo

The World Ocean Summit, hosted by Economist Impact with the support of The Nippon Foundation, is a leading global platform dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable ocean economy. The 12th edition, held in Tokyo in 2025, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—from business and finance to government, civil society, and academia—to foster collaboration and drive action on ocean health. Set against Japan’s rich maritime heritage, the summit focused on ocean stewardship, innovation, and practical solutions to marine challenges, paving the way for progress on UN SDG 14, focused on the ocean.

About the Future Ocean Programme

The Future Ocean Programme is funded by The Nippon Foundation and aims to generate knowledge and understanding of how law, political science, and public policy are used to effect change in humanity’s relationship with the ocean to combat the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution.

For more information about the Future Ocean Programme visit the webpage https://futureocean.wmu.se/

About the BBNJ Clinic Programme

The Ireland and WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic is dedicated to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their efforts to ratify and implement the BBNJ Agreement. Effective and prompt implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is crucial for ocean sustainability and conservation and addressing global inequalities in access to ocean resources. SIDS, characterized as ‘large ocean states’ due to their geographical features and interconnection with and knowledge of ocean ecosystems, as well as coastal LDCs, are among the most significant beneficiaries of the Agreement and among the most important actors in contemporary ocean affairs. However, these States can face capacity and resource challenges in implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The Programme aims to fulfill both practical capacity development and hands-on educational mandates. WMU-GOI researchers and external experts, including the lead negotiators of the BBNJ intergovernmental conference, will lead the consultation process facilitated by the Clinic, and facilitate ratification and implementation procedures undertaken by legal advisors, government officials, and relevant stakeholders from SIDS and coastal LDCs.

For more information about the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme visit:https://bbnjclinic.wmu.se/

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