PORA Delegation Takes Part in International Marine Economy Development Forum in Qingdao

The Global Ocean Development Forum is taking place from September 16 to 18, 2026, in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The international forum brings together more than 400 representatives of the academic, expert, and business communities involved in developing the marine economy, introducing advanced marine technologies, and shaping new approaches to managing the resources of the World Ocean.

The forum has been held annually since 2024 at the initiative of the People’s Government of Shandong Province and the Ocean University of China, with support from China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

The theme of the 2026 forum is “Let’s Sea Our Futures – Developing a Sustainable Marine Economy for a Thriving Ocean.” The event’s concept reflects China’s commitment to establishing a new model of global ocean governance based on the principles of the blue economy, the development of marine energy, biotechnology, and other high-tech industries, their adaptation to climate change, and the expansion of international cooperation mechanisms within this emerging model.

On September 17, Maksim Dankin, Director General of the PORA Expert Center, addressed the expert dialogue “Integration and Exchange: Maritime Civilization in the Global Era.” In his opening remarks, he highlighted the historical role of the World Ocean as a space connecting peoples and cultures, shaping trade routes, and facilitating scientific exchange.

“The former Western-centric world order is undergoing profound change. As Chinese President Xi Jinping has noted, changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, while the achievements of the countries of the Global South have become an objective reality that even the leaders of developed nations can no longer ignore. In this context, the comprehensive partnership between Russia and China is becoming a stabilizing factor in global politics as a whole.”

Particular attention was paid to the role of maritime spaces amid the changing international environment.

“I am convinced that the ocean is too vast to be divided into military blocs and too important for maritime routes to be turned into political barriers,” Dankin emphasized.

The venue for the forum was not chosen by chance. Shandong is a major coastal province in eastern China with considerable natural resources and industrial potential. Its maritime area covers approximately 166,000 square kilometers, creating significant opportunities for the development of the marine economy. In 2025, the value of Shandong Province’s marine economy reached RMB 1.9 trillion, accounting for approximately 17% of China’s total marine economy. The province is home to 256 companies investing in the production of technologies and equipment for marine energy and contributing to a well-developed ecosystem for maritime business and investment.

The forum also featured business meetings with representatives of the Ocean University of China and local technology companies to discuss joint initiatives in the Arctic, including renewable energy, climate-related projects, and the development of scientific and technological ties between Russia and China.