By Yoo Yeon Gyeong 

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on April 21 said the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, aka BEXCO, in the nation's No. 2 city will host the 10th Our Ocean Conference from April 28-30.

As a leading international event on the oceans, the conference each year attracts global leaders in the sector to discuss marine issues and release actionable pledges.

Around 2,300 participants from 100 countries will attend this year's edition including government ministers and vice ministers, senior representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations special envoy for the ocean, and figures from global non-governmental organizations and companies.

The six action areas to be discussed are marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, climate change, maritime security and the blue economy. As the host country, Korea selected "Digital Oceans" as the special agenda for the conference.

With an integrated maritime administration and departments in charge of shipping, fisheries and ports, the country will present its "blue action plan for sustainable oceans," a package of over 70 ambitious pledged actions based on Korea's experience and achievements, to the world.

After the conference, the ministry will host in Busan from April 30 to May 1 the fifth talks among maritime ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). As the chair country of the APEC Summit for the first time since 2005, Korea through the meeting hopes to boost its position as a responsible and leading maritime nation.

dusrud21@korea.kr