The 5th APEC Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting (AOMM5) was convened in Busan from April 30 to May 1, 2025, marking the first such ministerial gathering in over a decade since 2014. As the first APEC ministerial meeting attended by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) since its establishment in 2018, the event brought together senior ocean-related policymakers from 19 APEC economies to address the future of oceans in the face of climate change. The meeting reflected a global shift in governance — from land-based approaches to ocean-centered strategies for sustainable development.

   Dr. Kuan Bi-Ling, Minister of the OAC, led Taiwan’s delegation and delivered all her speeches in English, demonstrating the country’s firm commitment and professionalism in international ocean affairs.

Taiwan Champions Ocean Dialogue and Regional Collaboration
   Minister Kuan’s debut appearance at AOMM5 underscored Taiwan’s growing leadership in ocean governance and its readiness to engage in shaping global norms. In critical issues, including net-zero transition, sustainability, and smart ocean practices, Taiwan shared its concrete plans with APEC member economies on legislative and policy approaches, reinforcing its capacity to contribute to regional resilience through cooperation and mutual support.

   Despite the tightly packed schedule, Minister Kuan held seven bilateral meetings and engaged in over a dozen sidelines during the two-day meeting. Her “marathon diplomacy” focused on key topics, including blue economy development, marine debris management, ocean conservation, and youth participation, enhancing mutual trust and joint action plans with APEC partners. Notably, she made significant diplomatic headway with the United States and other like-minded economies in reviving stalled collaborations through candid, in-person exchanges.

Bridging Global Trends with Local Innovation
   Minister Kuan also used the forum to better understand global trends and measures in ecosystem protection. She highlighted Canada’s progress in expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with 15.54% of its marine and coastal zones now under protection and a goal of 25% by the end of the year — a step toward the UN’s “30x30” conservation target. In response, she showcased Taiwan’s inclusive MPA model, which integrates Indigenous communities and fishers into the decision-making mechanisms, affirming their resource rights and embodying the principles of co-governance and shared stewardship.

Supporting the Chair’s Statement and the Proposal for the APEC Ocean Resilience Enhancement Roadmap
   Echoing the meeting’s theme — “Navigating Our Blue Future: Connection, Innovation and Prosperity” — Minister Kuan emphasized Taiwan’s initiatives and actions to boost ocean resilience through AI-powered forecasting and digital disaster management systems. These technologies, implemented under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, have already helped Southeast Asian nations establish over 100 smart early warning stations, significantly improving regional disaster response capacity.

   Taiwan voiced strong support for the Chair’s Statement proposed by the host economy, the Republic of Korea, and its proposal for the “APEC Ocean Resilience Enhancement Roadmap” as a milestone to enhance regional environmental governance and promote shared prosperity under the APEC 2040 Putrajaya Vision.

   Minister Kuan also raised concerns over threats of compound disasters arising from both natural and human factors, such as suspicious foreign vessels operating near Taiwan’s waters, potentially conducting reconnaissance, or engaging in the deliberate sabotage of undersea cables. In response, she outlined Taiwan’s integrated strategy, combining technology-based surveillance, pattern analytics, and cross-ministerial coordination to strengthen situational awareness and ensure maritime security.

  “We are resilient — and we must be,” Minister Kuan declared in her plenary address, reaffirming Taiwan’s resolve to face ocean crises. She also called on all APEC member economies to jointly respond to global oceanic challenges, moving towards a resilient and sustainable blue future.