The Nippon Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, will host the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, combining around 300 individuals, consisting of Heads of State or Government, ministers, and senior authorities around 30 island states in the Pacific, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and Indian Ocean areas, in addition to agents of United Nations companies and other global companies (since May 13).
Island states are amongst the most susceptible to water level increase, ocean contamination, and other effects of environment modification. While these problems are dealt with through wider worldwide structures such as International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), there is likewise growing acknowledgment of the worth of more concentrated conversations on ocean-related obstacles that can support concrete policymaking and execution.
This Summit will be the very first worldwide top of its scale, which is devoted particularly to ocean problems and island states. Throughout the Summit, conversations will be co-chaired by H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, together with fellow co-chairs, and will concentrate on the immediate difficulties dealing with island states. The Summit will promote Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM), an evidence-based and climate-resilient technique that supplies these states with an extensive, tactical, and future-oriented structure developed to direct decision-making about the total sustainable usage and preservation of a country’s ocean resources.
The Summit conversations will be co-chaired by:
- Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation
- Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of IOC
- H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
The Summit is being held within the structure of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), and its results will add to upcoming worldwide conversations on biodiversity, environment modification, and ocean governance, consisting of COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and COP31 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Background and Objectives
Island States, particularly Small Island Developing States, are extensively acknowledged as being amongst the states most impacted by effects of environment modification and deal with an immediate requirement to reinforce their strength in reaction to extraordinary ecological modifications.
The Island States Ocean Summit is the very first global top which is committed particularly to oceans and island states and intends to check out paths that support the long-lasting strength and self-reliance of SIDS. In cooperation with leaders from federal government, academic community, market, and the ocean neighborhood, the Summit will promote the advancement of brand-new action strategies that support the preservation of marine environments while allowing the sustainable usage of ocean resources.
The Summit conversations will be co-chaired by H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of IOC, and Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation. On the last day of the Summit, a brand-new effort targeted at driving global-scale change and development is anticipated to be revealed.
The results of the Summit will add to future global conversations on biodiversity, environment modification, and ocean governance, consisting of COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and COP31 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), through IOC. This Japan-led effort is anticipated to make a considerable contribution to supporting island states all over the world.
The Nippon Foundation and Support for Island States
For years, the Nippon Foundation has actually supported island states all over the world, especially those in the Pacific area, which ended up being essential partners for Japan’s maritime and financial activities.
In 1989, the Foundation developed the Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund and has actually considering that supported capability advancement in maritime affairs and ocean science, while offering patrol vessels and little boats to Pacific island states.
IOC
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is the UN’s lead body for ocean science, promoting worldwide cooperation to reinforce the management, sustainable usage, and strength of the ocean. Combining 153 Member States, the IOC collaborates worldwide efforts in ocean observations and services, tsunami caution systems, ocean science, capability advancement, and ocean literacy, guaranteeing that science efficiently notifies policy, society, and sustainable ocean governance. Through its work, the IOC adds to UNESCO’s objective to advance clinical understanding and develop capability as structures for peace, social development, and sustainable advancement. As the organizer of the UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the IOC leads international efforts to change ocean understanding into action for the advantage of individuals and the world.
Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM)
Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM) is an extensive, tactical and future-oriented structure developed to assist decision-making about the total sustainable usage and preservation of a country’s whole ocean resources. It is a whole-of-society, whole-of-government method that works as a unifying umbrella structure for ocean-related governance at all scales.
In June 2025, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO’s Member States embraced a 5-year Strategy (2025-2030) on Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management with the objective to gear up every country with the capability to establish sustainable ocean strategies.
By establishing incorporated prepare for fisheries, tourist, renewable resource, and other ocean-based markets, SOPM assists nations reinforce environment strength while guaranteeing the long-lasting sustainability of marine environments and seaside neighborhoods.
About The Nippon Foundation https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
The Nippon Foundation is Japan’s biggest humanitarian structure, developed in 1962. Directed by the concept “Together, for discomfort and hope. Together, for the future,” the Foundation supports a broad series of efforts consisting of humanitarian support, impairment addition, kid well-being, catastrophe reaction, and ocean preservation.
Media Contact
Island States Ocean Summit Press Desk (within Kyodo PR)
Email: isos-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp
News release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/2026520.pdf
