Island States Ocean SummitSustainable Ocean Action for Resilient Islands

It is my great honor to welcome you all to Tokyo for this landmark gathering. Since 1962, The Nippon Foundation has been striving to pass on healthy sustainable oceans to future generations. We have been pursuing this endeavor through various initiatives, but the most longstanding has been the nurturing of ocean experts around the globe. Our long-term commitment has cultivated a global network of over 2,000 experts from 158 nations, dedicated to securing the health of our ocean for the next 1,000 years.

The Nippon Foundation is also actively driving the advancement of ocean science and discovery through several initiatives officially recognized as UN Ocean Decade Actions. We are spearheading the effort to map the entire ocean floor by 2030 through the NF-GEBCO Seabed 2030, accelerating the discovery of marine life with the NF-Nekton Ocean Census Project, and leading the Dark Oxygen Research Initiative (DORI) to uncover the vital ecological functions of deep-sea ecosystems.

Our goal for this conference is to move from dialogue to implementation. The summit will encourage island states to develop their national frameworks (Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management or SOPM) that balance ocean conservation with sustainable use. By grounding these plans in objective science, we aim to turn the ambitions of SDG 14 into measurable, lasting action.

As a long-standing partner to island communities, we are honored to provide this platform together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and IOC/UNESCO. Those on the front lines of climate change are the true leaders of ocean stewardship, and we stand together in ensuring that the voices of island states guide the global agenda toward a resilient blue planet.

• Yohei Sasakawa
• Honorary Chair, The Nippon Foundation

Island nations, from atolls to larger island economies, rely on coastal and marine ecosystems for livelihoods, food security, development, and protection from increasing ocean risks. However, accelerating pressures underscore the urgent need to transform how we plan, use, and manage marine spaces to balance protection, production, and long-term prosperity. In this context, building resilient and sustainable ocean economies represents a strategic opportunity, with sustainable ocean planning and management (SOPM) serving as a critical tool to drive integrated and evidence-based decision-making.

To contribute to this transition, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO plays a central role in advancing ocean science and international cooperation required for effective and sustainable ocean governance. By strengthening global ocean observing systems, closing critical knowledge gaps, and supporting capacity development, particularly in Small Island Developing States, the IOC enables science-based decision-making, marine spatial planning, and integrated ocean management approaches.

It is with this shared vision that we welcome you to the Island States Ocean Summit — a unique platform to advance interregional cooperation on SOPM and define priority actions to drive implementation. The Summit outcomes will directly contribute to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the broader global ocean agenda. We are honored to partner with the Nippon Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in advancing this important endeavour, and we look forward to your leadership and engagement.

• Vidar Helgesen,
• Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO