The 2024 International Island Forum commenced on November 5 in Pingtan, an island off the coast of E China's Fujian. The forum aims to foster a shared vision for the development of global island sustainability. Under the theme, "Blue Future Hinged on Island Prosperity," the event is co-hosted by the Island Research Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, the China Oceanic Development Foundation, and the Pacific Islands Development Forum.

Bringing together over 30 experts and scholars from five continents, the forum focuses on crucial topics including marine disaster prevention and mitigation, ecological protection and restoration, blue economy development, global ocean governance, and island culture.

Deputy director of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Administrative Committee, Pan Xinya, highlighted Pingtan's commitment to marine development, stating, "Pingtan boasts a beautiful and high-quality ecological environment, an efficient green marine economy, and a long-standing island culture. We have always focused on harnessing the potential of our seas. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions from our distinguished guests, hoping their wisdom will support global island governance and the sustainable development and protection of our oceans."

Xie Jian, deputy director of the South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the forum, saying, "China shares a deep connection with island countries, and we have vast opportunities for cooperation. This forum provides a rare platform for us to exchange rich experiences, successful cases, and the latest scientific achievements and technological methods, exploring new models and pathways for island protection and development."

Arpana Pratap, director of the Blue Economy, Pacific Islands Development Forum, spoke about the importance of the forum's role in the Pacific region, "The Pacific Island Countries Development Forum has been successfully operating for five years, providing a crucial platform for global blue economy coordination, technical communication, decision-making, and action. We believe that the sustainable development of the blue economy in the Pacific is key to addressing many of the economic challenges we face."

Pan Xinchun, vice chairman and secretary-general of the China Oceanic Development Foundation, expressed the foundation's dedication to island development and protection, "Our foundation is very concerned about the development and protection of islands. We have cooperated with related island countries in the South Pacific, East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean on the Maritime Silk Road project, which has achieved positive results. We are willing to further fund cooperation in maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management, and marine capacity building based on the cooperation with the representatives present here."

Wang An'tao, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation (Maritime Rights Division) of the Ministry of Natural Resources of P.R. China, looked forward to future collaborations, "In recent years, China has signed cooperation agreements with more than ten island countries in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, establishing blue partnerships to strengthen marine sustainable development. We look forward to enhancing the consistency of development concepts and strategies, jointly formulating and implementing the China-Island Countries Marine Disaster Prevention and Reduction Cooperation Plan (2025-2030), and making full use of platforms like the China Ocean Joint Training and Research Center to provide marine training projects tailored to the specific needs of island countries."

The forum was chaired by Lin Heshan, deputy director-general of the Island Research Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, P.R.China.