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Korea Herald
12-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Bridge to Africa] Kenya urges Korea to fast-track maritime, mineral cooperation
Kenyan minister suggests Korea–Africa trade expos, digital platforms to bridge gap in Korean businesses' limited knowledge of African markets Kenya is calling on Korea to deepen maritime and mineral cooperation through accelerated technology transfers, said Hassan Ali Joho, Kenya's Cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy and maritime affairs, in an interview with The Korea Herald. 'We are looking for Korean support in building infrastructure for fisheries, training human resources, transferring fish processing technologies and advancing the blue economy through expert collaboration,' he said. Joho was in Busan to attend the 10th Our Ocean Conference, held from April 28 to 30. According to Joho, Kenya aims to enhance marine sustainability by expanding "Marine Protected Areas," improving coastal pollution control and involving local communities in conservation efforts. Highlighting 50 years of Kenya-Korea ties, Joho referenced memorandums of understanding on the blue economy and fisheries signed during the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, along with a draft proposal for mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates to boost Kenyan employment on Korean vessels. Joho outlined Kenya's interest in creating frameworks for certificate recognition under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as well as launching student and trainer exchanges in maritime education, joint research and technical support in fisheries development. 'Kenya has been selected to host the 11th edition of the OOC in 2026,' Joho told The Korea Herald. As Kenya prepares to host the next OOC, Joho praised Korea's achievements in marine conservation and port management as a model for Kenya's own strategy. Discussing the seaweed sector, Joho revealed Kenya's plans to expand seaweed farming through new sites, deep-sea cultivation and industrial development. 'This will require Korean technical expertise and research support. Korea has valuable experience in building a sustainable seaweed industry,' he added. However, Joho also acknowledged challenges in the Korea-Africa business environment. 'Many Korean businesses have limited knowledge of African markets, regulations, consumer behavior and investment opportunities,' he pointed out. 'Likewise, African enterprises often lack access to information about Korean technologies and standards.' To bridge this gap, Joho recommends establishing more joint business forums, Korea–Africa trade expos and digital platforms for greater commercial visibility. 'We must also strengthen the role of embassies and trade missions to facilitate better cooperation,' he added. Commending Korea for its role in maritime training, Joho highlighted ongoing cooperation between Kenyan institutions, such as Bandari Maritime Academy, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University and Pioneer International University, and Korea's Maritime Education Training Support Center. He noted that Korean instructors and retired seafarers have helped train Kenyan cadets, offering valuable international exposure. Joho also urged Korea to view Kenya as a strategic partner in critical minerals. 'Kenya recognizes and appreciates the role Korean companies play in the global mineral trade, particularly in green and critical minerals,' said Joho. 'To complement one another, Kenya proposes to advance Korean interests in the supply of mineral resources.' He outlined potential areas for collaboration, including strengthening Kenya's value-addition capabilities, developing mineral smelting technologies, supporting rural cottage industries and pursuing joint research in green technology-related mineral processing. 'Korean investment in the entire value chain — from exploration to final products — will be key to inclusive growth,' he emphasized. On the regional front, Joho detailed Kenya's efforts to strengthen maritime security under the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment. 'Initiatives like Exercise Usalama Baharini 2024 and the upcoming Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement 2025 underscore our commitment to maritime safety and tackling illicit activities,' he said. He also pointed to Kenya's leadership in promoting a regional cabotage regime to boost intra-African trade in the African Continental Free Trade Area. 'This culminated in Kenya hosting the African Cabotage and Blue Economy Conference in 2023,' he recalled, adding that as of January this year Kenya has eased travel requirements for African nationals, exempting most from the electronic travel authorization process. 'This is part of a broader push to increase intra-African trade and investment,' he added. Profile: Hassan Ali Joho is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy, and maritime affairs. He began his political career in 2004 and was elected as a member of parliament for Kisauni in 2007. From 2013 to 2022, he was the first governor of Mombasa County and has held positions such as assistant minister for transport, national organizing secretary and deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement. Joho is a member of the International Steering Committee of the Strong Cities Network, promoting peace and security. sanjaykumar@
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Korea's Blue Action Plan: Key outcomes from the 10th Our Ocean Conference
IOL Korea's Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-Hyung at the Our Oceans Conference in Busan. Picture: Jolene Marriah-Maharaj Korea played host to the 10th Our Ocean Conference. The three-day conference held at Bexco, in the beachside city of Busan, saw global leaders converge. "Approximately 2,600 people were in attendance, including government officials, high-level international organizations, global NGOs, and companies from 100 countries. From South Africa, Zoe Prinsloo from Save the Fishies in Cape Town, was in attendance. The conference aimed to engage in dialogue for a sustainable ocean future, with the backdrop theme for this year being 'Our Ocean, Our Action." The conference aimed to foster dialogue and cooperation for a sustainable ocean future. As a country with an integrated maritime administration, Korea announced the Korea Blue Action Plan for Sustainable Oceans. The country pledged approximately 70 maritime-related action pledges based on past experiences and achievements to the international community. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) under the leadership of Minister Kang Do-Hyung described the conference as successful. The conference provided a platform to discuss opportunities to cooperate on global ocean challenges, and it resulted in the announcement of 277 commitments with a total value of USD 9.1 billion. Four core commitments were identified for the Korea Blue Action Plan. These are: - Assuming an active role in global discussions on marine protected areas (MPAs); -Participating in discourse on the transition to eco-friendly fuels for ocean freight and the establishment of a global green fuel supply chain. -Recognizing the significance of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency for sustainable fisheries and implementing the Charter in phases -Promoting a lifecycle management policy for fishing gear, a primary contributor to marine plastic pollution. At the opening ceremony, it was stated that over the past decade, 478 organizations had made 2,618 voluntary pledges, representing approximately USD 161 billion in financial commitments. Of these, 43%, or 1,130, have been implemented, and 38%, or 1,005, are ongoing. "This indicates that about 81% of the pledges have been or are being realized, showcasing the OOC's commitment to driving tangible change. "By pledge category, marine pollution had the highest number of items, with a total of 508. By dollar amount, USD 86.6 billion, 54% of the total, was committed to addressing climate change." Two exceptional cases of achievement were also presented. Renz Nathaniel Luyao, a young Filipino, shared his experience organizing the country's first youth seminar on the BBNJ Agreement and promoting 'Gensea,' an online marine education and community platform. The PEW Foundation shared its accomplishments in designating 2 million km² of MPAs in over 30 regions worldwide, and called on countries to join in the MPA designation. In the meantime, Kenya has been announced as the host of the 11th Our Ocean Conference. IOL News
Boston Globe
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
US Senator Whitehouse under fire for missing vote to rebuke Trump's tariff policy
Related : The only two senators who did not vote were Whitehouse, a Democrat, and Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. Similar to bills, Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up A spokesperson for Whitehouse did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday morning. Advertisement At the time of the vote, Whitehouse was heading back to the United States after attending the 'Our Ocean Conference' in South Korea, according to Headed back from the 10th Our Ocean Conference, where I was the sole US official. — Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) Since 2014, thousands of global leaders have met at the conference But Whitehouse, in one 'USA AWOL,' he wrote. Advertisement Circled is the entire U.S. delegation to this global oceans summit, founded by the United States, usually attended by a dozen or more senior U.S. officials. USA AWOL. — Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) Commenters online, however, saw some irony in the senator's remarks. 'YOU were AWOL and sank a bill we needed,' Another, @overwurked, 'It would not have passed the House and it would have been vetoed but still, I am disappointed in Senator Whitehouse,' the user Wednesday's vote arrived weeks after the Senate approved a resolution that would have blocked Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canada. Democrats intended the latest resolution as a means to try to place a check on Trump and to get Republicans on the record about the president's Related : 'The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,' said Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution. Co-sponsors of the resolution included Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Peter Welch of Vermont, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky also co-sponsored the measure. Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Christopher Gavin can be reached at
Korea Herald
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Our Ocean Conference kicks off in S. Korea
A major global maritime conference kicked off in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Tuesday to provide a platform for international discussions on the sustainable future of the ocean. The 10th Our Ocean Conference set sail under the theme "Our Ocean, Our Action" for a two-day run at BEXCO, about 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Some 2,300 officials, including government delegates from 100 countries and the leaders of international institutions and nongovernmental organizations, have joined the event, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who spearheaded the establishment of the conference, and Peter Thomson, the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for the ocean, were among the participants. "At this moment, many people are facing risks to their livelihoods and losing their homes due to the rise of sea levels, marine garbage and depletion of fishery resources," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said in an opening speech at the event. "To resolve these problems, we need a more concrete and innovative action plan," he added. This year's OOC plans to discuss seven topics, including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security and digital oceans. As the host country, Seoul plans to propose the "Korea Blue Action Plan" backed by an investment of 3.7 trillion won ($2.57 billion), which comprises 76 pledges on efforts to promote the sustainability of the ocean sector. The pledges will include efforts to expand marine protected areas across the world, use of eco-friendly fuels for vessels and efforts to decrease marine plastic pollution. South Korea formally confirmed its ratification of a UN agreement on the sustainable use of marine biological diversity in March, becoming the first East Asian country to do so. On top of the ratification, the country plans to designate over 2,000 square kilometers of new marine protected areas this year alone and continue to expand these areas every year, Kang explained. Kang said South Korea will also continue its efforts to promote sustainable fisheries as the only Asian member of the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Action Alliance. "South Korea recognizes the vital importance of the international cooperation in areas such as vessel information management, fishing activities and seafood supply chains, building upon our existing legal institutional frameworks," he added. On the sidelines of the event, the oceans ministry was set to hold a business summit of the shipping, shipbuilding and digital ocean industries. South Korea will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Oceans-related Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in Busan, ahead of the APEC summit set to take place in the country in the fall. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
24-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Oceans minister to hold meeting with foreign envoys to discuss upcoming global maritime conference
South Korea's Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung will hold a meeting with foreign envoys in Seoul on Monday to discuss the country's hosting of a major global maritime conference in April, his office said. The 10th Our Ocean Conference will be held under the theme "Our Ocean, Our Action" from April 28-30 in the southeastern port city of Busan. It is expected to draw up to 2,000 participants, including government delegates from around 50 countries, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. In Monday's meeting, Kang will share Seoul's preparations for the OOC with some 70 foreign envoys, including 21 ambassadors to South Korea, and exchange views on various agendas to be discussed at the conference. This year's OOC plans to discuss seven topics, including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security and digital oceans. On the sidelines of the event, the oceans ministry will hold a business summit on shipping, shipbuilding and digital ocean industries. South Korea will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Oceans-related Ministerial Meeting on April 30 and May 1 in Busan, ahead of the APEC summit to take place in the country in November. (Yonhap)
