The 2025 Global Ocean Development Forum is set to take place from Sept 7 to 9 in Qingdao. [Photo/Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]

The 2025 Global Ocean Development Forum will take place from Sept 7 to 9 in Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), under the theme "From blue to future: Developing a sustainable ocean economy, building a beautiful and bountiful ocean".

As one of only three ministry-provincial-level forums approved to be held regularly in Shandong, this year's event is co-hosted by the Shandong Provincial People's Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources. It is the second edition taking place in Qingdao WCNA.

The forum includes plenaries, four parallel sessions focusing on artificial intelligence, ports, biomedicine, and youth talent, as well as five industry-academia matchmaking events covering marine minerals, equipment, ecological protection, and smart ocean technologies.

More than 160 international guests from 68 countries and regions across six continents will take part. Key outcomes include the release of the 2025 China Ocean Development Index Report and the establishment of an ocean AI large model industrial alliance.

Eight matchmaking sessions will promote major marine projects in fields such as high-end equipment, new energy, desalination, and marine biomedicine. The accompanying 2025 East Asia Marine Expo will showcase the latest technological innovations across global marine industries.

Additionally, a mayors' dialogue will bring together mayors and representatives from over 20 countries including France, South Korea, and Kenya to exchange strategies on urban governance, technological innovation, and marine ecological protection.

As China's ninth national-level new area and the only one in Shandong focusing on marine economy, Qingdao WCNA plays a strategic role in strengthening marine development, recording a marine-related GDP of 210 billion yuan ($29.42 billion) in 2024, accounting for 40.6 percent of Qingdao's and 11.8 percent of Shandong province's total marine GDP.