The 2015 International Ocean Forum and the 5th Ministerial Forum on Marine Sustainable Development for Developing Countries Held in Xiamen

On 6 November 2015, the International Ocean Forum and the 5th Ministerial Forum on Marine Sustainable Development for Developing Countries was held in Xiamen. The participants discussed under the topics of “Marine Cooperation between China and Developing Countries” and “Marine Cooperation between China and ASEAN Countries”. ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Secretary-General H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping attended the Forum.

In the session of “Marine Cooperation between China and Developing Countries”, Ms. Zhang Haiwen, Director-General of the International Cooperation Department of State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China introduced SOA’s mandate, responsibilities and the efforts it had made to promote the international maritime cooperation. She welcomed the relevant countries to take the "Belt and Road" initiative as an opportunity, to strengthen maritime cooperation with China. Mr. Cai Weizhong, Vice Secretary-General of Xiamen Municipal Government, remarked that Xiamen, as a city with rich maritime resources, was striving to forge a marine industrial chain with value of a hundred billion RMB, and willing to enhance its maritime functional cooperation with the relevant countries. Ms. Agi Veres, Country Director of UNDP China emphasized on the sustainable development of marine resources. She attached great importance to marine eco-system, and stressed that to maintain the cradle of human kind, we need to make a joint effort. Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross, Executive Director of the Partnerships in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), elaborated on the importance of scaling up regional cooperation for a “Blue Economy” in the seas of East Asia. He mentioned that East Asia, endowed with the the most valuable coastal areas both ecologically and economically speaking, should endeavor to develop the “Blue Economy” to create new economic growth impetus and preserve the ecological environment of the region. Mr. Liu Jianxing, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Centre of National Development and Reform Commission of China, briefed the meeting of the vision and approach of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, suggesting that the related parties should make good use of the current cooperation platforms to increase understanding and consensus, so as to realize a common development and double-win results. Ms. Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Aviation of Bahamas, and Mr. Danasiri Rupakumara Jayasekara, Deputy Commissioner General, Department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka shared their experiences on ocean governance and utilization, and introduced their achievements, challenges and future direction of marine tourism, fisheries and marine resource development. 

Under the agenda of “Marine Cooperation between China and ASEAN Countries”, Ms. Lin Yueling, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Ocean and Fisheries of Fujian province, introduced the development of Fujian’s marine economy and cooperation with ASEAN countries. She said that currently Fujian is enriching its maritime cooperation by putting emphasis on fisheries and maritime cultural exchanges, and making full use of the platforms of ASEAN-China Maritime Cooperation Centre and ASEAN-China Marine Product Exchange. Fujian stands ready to strengthen its coordination and exchange with ASEAN countries, to push the cooperation to a new height. Mr. Moe Kyaw, Deputy Director from Myanmar’s Ministry of Transport, Ms. Suthida Kan-atireklap, official from the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Sukarno Bin Wagiman, Director-General from Malaysian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Pham Hung Vnh, Director from Viet Nam's Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Mr. Junaidi Djalil, Director from Aceh Investment and Promotion Board of Indonesia, delivered speeches respectively, introducing the development of their marine economy, the challenges theyhad been facing and the vision they were heading for. They shared the views that it was equally important for the countries and the region to develop the marine economy and to preserve the marine eco-system. Cooperation should be strengthened to realize the goal of common and sustainable development .

In the concluding session, Ms. Hong Huasheng, Chief Scientist of Coastal and Ocean Management Institute of Xiamen University, Dr. Ma Chaode, programme manager of energy and environment of UNDP China, Dr. Sakanan Plathong, scholar from Prince of Songkla University of Thailand, and Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, scholar from VNU University of Science under Viet Nam National University, expressed their views respectively and answered the questions raised by the participants.

At the Forum, Secretary-General Yang exchanged views with Mr. Wang Hong, Administrator of SOA, Mr. Zhang Zhinan, Deputy Governor of Fujian Province, Mr. Lin Wensheng, Deputy Mayor of Xiamen Municipal government, Ms. Agi Aeres, Country Director of UNDP China, Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross, Executive Director of PEMSEA, Mr. Danasiri Rupakumara Jayasekara, Deputy Commissioner General of Department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka as well as other participants, and briefed on ACC’s work.