S. Korea to share marine technology with developing nations, expand AI-driven ocean cooperation

South Korea will host an international conference in Busan to share advanced marine technologies — including AI and big data — with developing nations and identify new maritime cooperation projects tailored to local needs. The gathering is designed to boost the effectiveness of Official Development Assistance by helping foreign civil servants plan projects that reflect their countries' actual demands.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Tuesday that it will hold the 2026 Korea International Conference on Ocean and Fisheries (KICCOF) in Busan on Wednesday.

Now in its 13th year since launching in 2014, the conference will bring together about 100 participants, including government officials from coastal nations in Asia, Pacific island states and Africa, representatives of international organizations, and domestic and foreign maritime experts.

This year's conference will be held under the theme "New Horizons for Ocean and Fisheries ODA: Connecting Technology, Regions and People." It will run in conjunction with the BADA program, which provides tailored consulting and project-planning support to civil servants from ODA-recipient countries.

The BADA program offers civil servants from ODA-receiving nations lectures on ocean and fisheries topics, field visits, and customized consulting through partnerships with domestic institutions. The government plans to use the program to identify new ODA projects that reflect each country's real-world needs.

The first session will cover marine science cooperation using AI and big data, the development of skilled professionals, and community-based approaches to fisheries development. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology will present case studies on advanced technology-based marine science cooperation, while the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency will outline strategies for building capacity through talent development.

Ghana's Fisheries Commission will share examples of community-linked fisheries development, and the World Maritime University will present on multilateral cooperation and global maritime partnerships.

The second session will feature officials and researchers from six countries — Micronesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Palau and Kenya — discussing their respective maritime challenges and future cooperation priorities. Moon Gyeong-yeon, a professor at Jeonbuk National University, will chair the discussion.

Seo Jeong-ho, director general for ocean policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said the conference would "serve as an opportunity to chart an innovative direction for ocean and fisheries ODA that connects South Korea's technological capabilities, global talent and local communities." Seo added that the ministry would "continue to lead efforts to address the climate crisis and promote sustainable ocean management in partnership with the international community."