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From August 23 to 25, 2024, the 2nd Hainan Free Trade Port International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Forum & Deep-Sea Science and Technology Innovation Conference was held at Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. With the theme "Gathering Wisdom in the Deep Sea, Sharing the Blue Ocean," the conference focused on cutting-edge issues in marine science and technology, exploration of marine civilization, marine ecological protection, and marine governance policies, aiming to foster the coordinated development of the marine economy and marine ecological conservation. The conference also actively engaged the public and encouraged youth participation through a series of marine science and cultural popularization activities and the organization of the Youth Marine Hackathon Competition, aiming to enhance the ocean literacy for all and the empowerment for youth and to leverage the power of science to promote sustainable ocean development and create a safe and prosperous future together. The event was co-hosted by the Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, the Sanya Municipal People's Government, UNESCO, and the Provincial Oceanic Administration of Hainan. The conference received strong support from the People's Government of Hainan Province, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Ms. Lidia Arthur Brito, Assistant Director-General of the Natural Sciences Sector at UNESCO, mentioned in her opening speech at the conference that the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are affecting the health of our oceans. The protection and sustainable use of marine resources face complex challenges that require technological innovation and integrated scientific research methods beyond traditional knowledge boundaries. She suggested that we should establish international scientific cooperation projects to deepen our understanding of the oceans, promote international dialogue to form a global consensus, and accelerate the transfer of relevant technologies to drive innovation and progress in global governance, thereby filling the gaps in our knowledge about the oceans. She also emphasized that UNESCO will strengthen cooperation with Chinese government departments in the field of scientific and technological innovation to advance the "International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024-2033)" initiative globally, ensuring that no one is left behind and benefiting the common well-being and prosperity of humanity.

At the opening ceremony of the Conference, Mr. Lan Yujie, Deputy Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, delivered a speech. He emphasized the key role of technological innovation in marine protection and the sustainable use of marine resources, noting that it is not only crucial for the health of the oceans but also related to the common welfare and security of humanity. Mr. Lan Yujie stated that the forum is an important opportunity to discuss and negotiate scientific and technological innovation and sustainable development in the marine field, and to promote cooperation and exchange in the marine sector. He also mentioned that the National Natural Science Foundation of China will continue to support the innovation of marine science and technology to advance progress and development in related fields.

Zhou Hongbo, a member of the Standing Committee of Hainan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Sanya Municipal Committee, mentioned that the development of marine science and technology is inseparable from the cultivation of innovative talents and the construction of open and inclusive scientific research incubation platforms. Sanya City would like to collaborate with global research institutions, scientific and technological talents, and innovative teams, and encourage the local research institutions actively integrate into the global deep-sea scientific and technological innovation system. Sanya will establish an open platform for international collaboration on deep-sea scientific and technological innovation. 

The conference actively promotes the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 2, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 17). The important outcome document of the forum, "Hainan Free Trade Port Consensus: Gathering Wisdom for the Blue Ocean, Fostering Science and Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development” was officially launched. It proposes a global initiative for ocean science and technology innovation to promote sustainable development, calling on the international community to work together to strengthen investment in ocean science and technology innovation for sustainable development. It advocates for the use of scientific methods to formulate policies that coordinate the development and utilization of marine resources with the protection of marine ecology and civilization, to enhance ocean literacy, and to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

The conference highlighted the need for linking with sustainable development goals and the necessity of protecting marine ecosystems. Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia pointed out in his speech that the development of science and technology is beneficial for human understanding and management of the ocean. There is an urgent need to shift towards transformative, inclusive, and effective science-based solutions. UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia will actively promote the implementation of UNESCO World Marine Heritage Programme, the Man and Biosphere Programme, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme and the United Nations "Ocean Decade”, aiming to achieve sustainable development of the blue ocean and coastal areas in the East Asian region.