Busan named host city for 2028 UN Ocean Conference

Korea’s southern port city, Busan, has secured the honor to host the fourth UN Ocean Conference in 2028, surpassing Jeju Island for this prestigious environmental gathering. The choice was made public by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, positioning Busan at the heart of global marine diplomacy as countries confront issues like rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and plastic pollution.

Korea was previously designated by the UN General Assembly as the host nation for the 2028 event, building on a diplomatic arrangement that pairs a developed nation with a developing partner – Chile, which will host a high-level preliminary event in 2027.

The selection committee highlighted Busan’s dense concentration of shipping industries, oceanic research institutes, and deep-water infrastructure as the key factors in its decision. Although the final approval still requires ratification by a prime-ministerial committee and inclusion in a forthcoming UN General Assembly resolution, the announcement formally establishes Busan as the central venue for this critical international conference.