The Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) participated remotely in the 5th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, held on November 26, 2024, in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, alongside the Honorable Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, the Honorable Chen Xiaodong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chair and Administrator of the State Ocean Administration of China, Mr. Bateer, Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Proving and Mr. Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Ocean.

Co-organized by the Huayang Centre for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, the China Oceanic Development Foundation, the Hainan Free Trade Port Research Institute, the forum gathered over 300 international experts, scholars, government officials, and representatives of international organizations to address critical issues in maritime governance and sustainable ocean management.

Invited to deliver a keynote address, H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General of ISA, addressed the current challenges confronting global maritime cooperation and the future of ocean governance. “As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the importance of collaborative action in managing our oceans has never been more apparent. General faith in multilateralism is fading from all horizons. This is also the case in the law of the sea. One could note a return of unilateral actions and increased polarization, leaving the legacy achieved by those before us in a very fragile state of uncertainty,” he said.

Secretary-General Lodge underscored the importance of collective action by reaffirming ISA’s commitment to promoting responsible resource management, environmental protection, and marine scientific research under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“The future of our oceans depends on our collective action. UNCLOS, its implementing agreements, and the work of institutions like ISA provide a solid foundation for global maritime cooperation. By upholding the principles enshrined in these frameworks, we can ensure the sustainable management of our oceans and the equitable sharing of their benefits for generations to come. Let us seize this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to collaborative action and ensure a healthy and prosperous future for our oceans,” he concluded.