Chair’s Statement on the 2025 APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting

Chair’s Statement on the 2025 APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting¹

Busan, Korea, 1 May 2025

1. We, the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers responsible for Oceans and Fisheries, met in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 1 May 2025. The meeting, chaired by Kang Do-Hyung, Minister of the Republic of Korea, provided an opportunity to exchange views related to the theme "Navigating our Blue Future - Connection, Innovation and Prosperity".

    

2. In achieving the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 for an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations, we recognize the importance of addressing challenges associated with ocean and fisheries sustainability through strengthened regional cooperation, including the efforts of the APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG).

    

3. In the face of increasing environmental challenges and disasters, we emphasize the need for strengthened cooperation through policy dialogue, sharing of information on best practices, and capacity-building to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, marine ecosystems and community wellbeing.

    

4. To enhance the resilience of fisheries and aquaculture, we encourage collaboration on research, ocean investments and the voluntary sharing of information about relevant measures, such as studies on shifts in fish stocks, monitoring changes in sea temperature and acidification, and adaptation measures to address environmental challenges to fisheries and aquaculture operations.

    

5. We encourage cooperation within APEC to manage disaster risk and strengthen preparedness through tools, such as early warning systems and marine disaster data monitoring, to support the safety and well-being of coastal communities.

    

6. We encourage collaboration on the collection and analysis of ocean environmental data through advanced technologies and the development of data-driven resilience improvement policies, as appropriate. In particular, we encourage cooperation on education and training, such as sharing successful case studies of data-based resilience improvement policies.

    

7. We instruct the OFWG to work towards the creation of an ‘APEC Ocean Resilience Enhancement Roadmap’, to contribute to the economic prosperity of APEC economies.

    

8. We express our concern that marine pollution is threatening human health, fish stocks, marine biodiversity, and coastal habitats, posing significant economic and social costs for APEC economies.

    

9. Recognizing marine debris as a global challenge, we are committed to strengthening global cooperation and science-based efforts aligned with the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris. We also encourage to implement in a timely manner the APEC Non-binding Guidelines on Services that Support the Clean-up of Marine Debris.

    

10. Recognizing the importance of using advanced technological approaches while implementing the APEC Roadmap on Marine Debris, we encourage the research, development and use of innovative solutions, as appropriate, such as marine debris monitoring systems, improved waste management, including recycling and upcycling of discarded plastics, and proper management of fishing gear and aquaculture facility equipment in order to effectively reduce ghost fishing and marine debris.

     

11. While exploring a range of appropriate innovative and technological solutions to address marine debris, such as tracking technology that enables the detection and recovery of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing and aquaculture gear, we are also committed to strengthening the professional skills of harvesters and promoting the exchange of relevant knowledge, information and best practices.

     

12. We further note the importance of concluding the negotiations of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. This is expected to contribute to a reduction in marine debris and therefore decreased plastic pollution in marine ecosystems.

     

13. We also underscore the importance of restoring and conserving marine ecosystems biodiversity through regional initiatives, appropriate technological innovation, collaborative research, and engagement with traditional knowledge holders, such as Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, to protect and restore threatened marine species and ecosystems, such as mangrove and kelp forests, coral reefs, salt marshes and seagrass beds, among others.

     

14. Recognizing the threat to protected marine species, as well as seabirds, caused by incidental catch, we welcome APEC economies collaboration to share information and best practices on bycatch mitigation.

     

15. The adoption of the "Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction" is noted.

     

16. We also note the importance of taking effective conservation measures, including marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures to reduce threats to biodiversity, support sustainable fisheries, and mitigate impacts of environmental challenges, and call for increased cooperation among APEC economies.

     

17. Recognizing the critical role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in food security, nutrition and livelihoods, we call on APEC economies to strengthen fisheries management through science-based approaches to inform decision-making processes, and to support and cooperate in robust monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement activities to support the sustainable use of the ocean.

     

18. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, undermines efforts to sustainably manage marine fisheries, and harms marine species and ecosystems, threatening regional food security, economic stability and trade credibility. We urge the continued development of technical capacity and stronger cooperation among members to effectively implement the APEC Roadmap on Combating IUU Fishing. We welcome best practice sharing in catch documentations systems (CDS) among APEC economies taking account of the FAO voluntary guidelines.

     

19. We note that collaboration on combating IUU fishing could include efforts to enhance monitoring, control and surveillance, including the use of digital technology, along with strengthening transparency and enforcement. It could also promote capacity building, development of port inspection processes and personnel, and APEC officials’ ability to develop, review and implement policy tools, such as Plans of Action to combat, deter and eliminate IUU fishing (POAs-IUU).

     

20. We further encourage members to exchange best practices and share knowledge and information about their domestic legal frameworks related to combating IUU fishing, both bilaterally and through appropriate regional and international fora, including the Agreement on Port State Measures and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), in order to enhance transparency and create coordinated fisheries management policies.

     

21. We encourage APEC economies to deposit their instruments of acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to facilitate its entry into force and implementation, and encourage Members to negotiate on additional provisions on certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing to secure a comprehensive fisheries subsidies agreement.

     

22. Recognizing the essential role of fisheries resources data system in protecting marine ecosystems and threatened species and ensuring the sustainable management of ocean resources, we encourage active participation in information sharing, collaborative research, and capacity-building programs to foster effective and forward-looking resource management across the region, as appropriate.

     

23. Recognizing the critical role of aquaculture in improving people’s livelihoods and job prospects, as well as ensuring food security and nutrition, sustainable aquaculture development in the Asia-Pacific region supplements the supply of aquatic foods and reduces dependence on the wild-catch fishing resources. We encourage all economies to step up cooperation for the sustainable development of aquaculture sectors.

     

24. Aligned with the mission of the OFWG, we encourage members to promote sustainable development opportunities in the oceans and fisheries sector including by fostering public-private partnerships, and enhancing ocean literacy. We also note the publication of APEC Marine Sustainable Development Report III, and encourage APEC economies to update the Report.

     

25. We will continue to promote economic empowerment and participation of all, in line with the APEC Putrajaya Vision and Aotearoa Plan of Action, to achieve economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific’s oceans and fisheries sectors. Through the active implementation of the APEC Roadmap on Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture, we continue to support capacity building for all by providing ongoing technical support, and policy efforts.

     

26. To effectively tackle the pressing global challenges in the oceans and fisheries sector, we are committed to fostering strong collaboration among the public sector and diverse stakeholders, including SMEs, and other businesses, local communities, traditional knowledge holders, educational institutions, civil society, and workers as appropriate.

     

27. Reaffirming the OFWG view on Blue Economy, as an approach to advance sustainable management and conservation of ocean, coastal resources, and ecosystems, we encourage APEC economies to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, in particular to improve ocean literacy through various outreach programs and increase the awareness of sustainable economic opportunities and environmental stewardship in the blue economy, while considering domestic circumstances and priorities.

     

28. We call upon the OFWG to continue to collaborate with relevant APEC fora to implement these goals, and we recognize the contribution of the APEC Marine Environmental Training and Education Center (AMETEC), and APEC Marine Sustainable Development Center (AMSDC) and OFWG related activities to regional capacity building, and the advancement of APEC ocean- and fisheries-related cooperation

     

29. We intend to work towards convening the Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting on a regular basis to ensure the continuity of ministerial-level discussion and to reaffirm our commitment in maintaining and advancing our shared direction for the ocean and fisheries sector.

     

30. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Republic of Korea for hosting the 2025 APEC Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting and extending their warm hospitality. 

¹ This statement, although initially agreed upon by consensus of all member economies, is being issued as a Chair's Statement due to one economy's withdrawal of support over its opposition to the geopolitical statement.