WMU Co-hosts the 47th Conference on Ocean Law and Policy
The World Maritime University (WMU) - Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) co-hosted the 47th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP47) with the U.S. Naval War College - Stockton Center for International Law, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru from 17-20 September in Lima, Peru. This year's conference, titled "Ocean Governance in the South Pacific and Latin America", was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first time COLP was held in Latin America.
The conference was launched at a high level reception with Ambassador Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Peru, underscoring the importance of collaboration among Latin American and South Pacific nations to ensure the sustainable management of marine resources and to address emerging challenges such as climate change and marine pollution. Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President of WMU, addressed the gathering highlighting the strategic importance of Latin America and the South Pacific in global ocean governance and the law of the sea with the regions' crucial roles in international trade, environmental sustainability, and maritime security. Additional reception speakers included Professor Raul Pedrozo from the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College, Vice Minister Juan Del Carmen Haro Muñoz, Vice Minister of Territorial Governance of the Presidency of Council of Ministers and President of the Multisectoral Commission of the State Action in the Maritime Sphere for Peru, and Admiral Luis José Polar Figari, Commander in Chief of the Peruvian Navy.
The conference focused on key challenges and opportunities for ocean governance in the South Pacific and Latin America, particularly in the context of evolving international laws and the sustainable use of marine resources. Issues critical to ocean governance and law of the sea were addressed with an emphasis on sharing insights related to regional challenges and potential cooperation strategies. In a virtual keynote address, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighted the urgent need for action to address the triple planetary crisis, with oceans playing a key role as climate regulators and biodiversity reservoirs. He also emphasized the unique, local ecosystem challenges in the South Pacific and Latin America and underscored the importance of academic contributions in driving innovative solutions and informing policies to address these environmental issues effectively.
Virtual keynote remarks were also delivered by Ms Leticia Carvalho, Secretary General designate of the International Seabed Authority. Onsite Keynote remarks were made by Captain Cristian Martis, Director and Regional Coordinator of the Southeast Pacific Action Plan for the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS) and Vice Admiral Rodolfo Sablich Luna Victoria, Director General of Captaincies and Coast Guard of Peru, who highlighted their respective visions for the ocean.
Seven thematic panels addressed a range of issues:
- Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
- Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations
- Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Environmental Protection
- Maritime Safety, Security, Decarbonisation of Shipping and Climate Change
- Future Oceans 1: Emerging Technologies & Digital Connectivity
- Future Oceans 2: Ocean Governance, Human Rights & Non-State Actors
- Future Oceans 3: National Laws & Policies
The conference provided a platform for participants to expand their knowledge of recent developments in ocean governance and the law of the sea, as well as enhance their capacity to address regional and global ocean challenges. Key outcomes of the conference include identifying areas for strengthened cooperation, expanding research opportunities, and promoting effective decision-making in ocean governance. Participants also benefited from insights into ongoing international treaty negotiations, advancements in marine technologies, and the intersection of ocean governance with human rights. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions and combat the growing threat of plastic pollution.
As a culmination of the event, WMU showcased its ongoing research initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to capacity-building in ocean governance. The event's success reaffirms the significance of international collaboration in promoting sustainable ocean management and addressing the dynamic challenges facing the world’s oceans today. The conference not only deepened participants’ understanding of current developments in ocean governance and the law of the sea but also identified areas for further cooperation and research.
The event was held at the Peruvian Naval Academy and featured both in-person and virtual participation, attracting a global audience of about 500 registered participants, including policymakers, legal scholars, and ocean governance experts. Co-sponsors included The Nippon Foundation, Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), University of Copenhagen’s Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance (CLIMA), Gujarat Maritime University (GMU), Ankara University’s National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM), the University of Hawaii’s Jon Van Dyke Institute for International Law & Justice, and the Peruvian Navy, with the support of the Peruvian International Law Society.
For more information on the conference and to access materials from the panels, please visit the official conference website.
For photos from the conference, click here.
About the World Maritime University
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda.
About the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policymakers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.
About COLP
The Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP) promotes interdisciplinary interaction with ocean-related legal and public policy issues at all levels, addressing international, national, regional, and State concerns. The COLP has developed current ocean-related topics of utmost importance to the international community through its latest edition. This year's conference is jointly hosted by The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), the Stockton Center for International Law at the US Naval War College, and the World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute under support of the Nippon Foundation.
