The 6th ROK-IORA Partnership Seminar, themed "Navigating the Future: Marine Spatial Planning for a Resilient Blue Economy," was convened to address the increasing demand for sustainable ocean use amidst environmental degradation. Held on 3 July 2025 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul, Republic of Korea, the seminar’s primary purpose was to strengthen the strategic partnership between the ROK and IORA Member States.
Key objectives included sharing practical experiences in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and smart aquaculture, promoting science-based solutions for ecosystem resilience, and building regional capacity for integrated ocean management. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Participation included approximately 30 in-person attendees, primarily from IORA Member States’ diplomatic delegations in Korea and delegates from the IORA Secretariat. A keynote address was delivered via video message by H.E. Sanjiv Ranjan, Secretary-General of IORA, and the entire event was live-streamed for Member States and Dialogue Partners to ensure broad regional engagement.
The seminar was structured into two technical sessions. The first session focused on MSP as a tool for achieving the Blue Economy, featuring presentations on Korea’s national MSP vision and leveraging planning to optimize ocean benefits. The second session addressed Smart Aquaculture, where experts discussed technology-driven insights for the Indian Ocean and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Key activities included a keynote highlighting IORA’s vision for sustainable development and panel discussions on participatory planning approaches. Main outcomes included the reinforcement of regional cooperation through the newly established ROK-Indian Ocean Cooperation Fund (KICF) and the exchange of innovative tools for habitat mapping and smart fisheries.
This seminar is directly relevant to IORA’s Blue Economy and Fisheries Management priorities, contributing to regional capacity building and sustainable development by providing a platform for science and technology-based solutions in the Indian Ocean region.
