Background:

The Pacific Island nations, as one of the regions most affected by climate change globally, are highly susceptible to rising sea levels, storm surges, floods, and tsunamis, facing numerous challenges. Additionally, their economies largely depend on fisheries and tourism, industries also threatened by climate change and ocean acidification. At the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), small island nations and developing countries are taking the lead in highlighting the importance of oceans as a climate solution. Concurrently, China has consistently emphasized the unique difficulties and concerns faced by Pacific Island nations in addressing climate change. On May 30, 2022, President Xi Jinping, in his address at the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, stated, China is willing to work together with Pacific Island nations to build a closer China-Pacific Island community with a shared future. Therefore, jointly exploring the topic of Pacific Island nations' responses to climate change and sustainable development is profoundly significant.

Ocean University of China, committed to serving the major needs of the nation's dual carbon goals, leverages its multidisciplinary strengths in oceanography, including humanities, sciences, engineering, and agriculture, to achieve its goal of deeply cultivating the ocean, serving the nation, and becoming world-class. By providing a blue carbon solution from China, this international symposium aims to offer a platform for scientists in related research fields to exchange ideas. The symposium will focus on discussing scientific issues such as the impacts of climate change on the Pacific climate, rising sea levels and their effects, blue governance, and sustainable development. From the perspective of scientific research, it aims to assist island nations in better coping with climate change, achieving sustainable development, and building a China-Pacific Island community with a shared future.

Committee:

Chair

　　Jianping Li    Director of the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Dean of Academy of the Future Ocean, Deputy Director of the Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, National Distinguished Young Scholar, Professor

Vice-Chairs

　　Rui Bao      Executive Director of the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, MOE China, Professor

　　Sheng Xu    Committee Member of the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Head of Key Research Directions at the Center, Professor

　　Zhen Liu    Committee Member of the Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Head of Key Research Directions at the Center, Professor

Yuming Feng  Committee Member of the Center for      Ocean Carbon Neutrality, Associate Professor

Venue:

Zuchongzhi Hall, 2nd Floor, Conference Center, Hualan Hotel, Qingdao, Shandong Province

Date:

October 21-22, 2023

Organizer:

Center for Ocean Carbon Neutrality (COCN), Ocean University of China

Co-sponsor:

International Department of OUC, Science and Technology Department of OUC, the Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth Systemof OUC