Busan confirmed as host city for 2028 UN Ocean Conference

Busan has been confirmed as the host city for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference. The event is the largest and highest-level international gathering in the field of ocean affairs, drawing representatives from all 193 UN member states along with international organizations and non-governmental organizations. Official registrations are expected to reach around 20,000.

The government said Friday it had launched a joint government-private preparatory committee for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference and held its first meeting in written form from Monday through Thursday.

At that meeting, the committee formally confirmed Busan as the host city, following a decision by the host-city selection committee on Aug. 10. Jeju Island, which had also submitted a bid, will host a number of preliminary and special events linked to the conference in 2027 and 2028.

The UN Ocean Conference is an international gathering held every three years to advance implementation of SDG 14 — the UN Sustainable Development Goal on the conservation and sustainable use of marine environments and resources.

Around 20,000 people are expected to register officially for the 2028 conference, including delegates from all 193 UN member states, international organizations and NGOs. The government anticipates total participation — including members of the general public attending exhibitions and experiential events — will exceed 100,000.

The third UN Ocean Conference, held in Nice, France, in June 2025, drew about 15,000 official registrants, including more than 60 heads of state and government. Total attendance, including the general public, reached 130,000.

The preparatory committee is chaired by the prime minister and comprises 33 members in total — 26 government members including relevant ministers, along with representatives from business associations. It will deliberate on and approve key matters including planning for the conference and the division of responsibilities among government agencies.

Business groups — including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Enterprises Federation and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) — will serve as standing members. They will work to identify future ocean agenda items such as AI and marine satellites and data, and to promote South Korea's technology, industries, policies and financial sector.

The government plans to build a cooperative framework with local governments, including Busan and Jeju Island, centered on the UN Ocean Conference Preparatory Planning Team, and will begin detailed event preparations. It intends to approach the work at a pan-government level so that the 2028 conference can serve as an opportunity to shape the direction of international ocean cooperation beyond 2030.