Qingdao Hosts 2026 Global Ocean Development Forum
Global Ocean Development Forum in Qingdao released marine economy reports, environmental datasets and an ocean public welfare initiative.
The 2026 Global Ocean Development Forum has been held in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, bringing together participants around sustainable marine economic development. The Xinhua Silk Road-reported event used a “1+1+4+8” framework spanning an opening ceremony and main forum, an ocean civilisation dialogue session, four parallel forums and eight side events. It released two major reports and new multi-source datasets for global marine environmental monitoring. The forum was organised by the People’s Government of Shandong Province and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Reports And Marine Data
Key outcomes included the “World Marine Economy Development Report 2026” and the “China Ocean Development Index Report 2026”. The global report covers nine major marine industries and nearly 30 coastal countries, examining global marine economic development in 2025 for policy-making, corporate investment decisions and research.
The China Ocean Development Index Report 2026 assesses six dimensions, including economy and people’s livelihood, sci-tech innovation and ecological environment. It found that the China Ocean Development Index rose 2.5 percent year on year to 132.3 in 2025.
The forum also unveiled datasets that combine remote sensing and on-site observation with AI calibration to track thermal conditions, ocean waves, typhoon gales and the ecological environment.
Ocean Collaboration Focus
Participants also unveiled the “Global Initiative for the Ocean Decade Marine Public Welfare Action”, focused on urban collaboration, science empowerment, ecological conservation, public participation and the blue economy. Since debuting in 2024, the forum has drawn participation from international organisations, public departments, universities and research institutions.
Shandong said its 2025 gross marine product reached 1.9 trillion yuan, ranking second nationwide. The province pledged to build on green shipping, marine new energy and other sectors alongside partners pursuing a more resilient and sustainable landscape for blue ocean development.
