In the race for the energy transition in Asia, the offshore industry is gaining new momentum. As the region embraces the transition, the 10th Ocean Dialogue under the theme “Offshore Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges to Green Transition” is lending a hand to achieve this endeavor by bringing policy-makers and leading experts together. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC, a special year for China and ASEAN countries who are committed to peace and stability as well as maritime cooperation in the South China Sea. Taking this as an opportunity, they need to review their experience and learn lessons. Starting with building consensus and enhancing mutual trust, they need to focus on new ideas and new paths and, guided by win-win cooperation, write a new chapter on maritime cooperation and ocean governance in the South China Sea. 

The work to develop legally binding measures to reduce air pollution from ships was an invitation in accordance to Article 212 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS), resolution A.719(17). As a result, IMO made a decision to include the regulation on energy efficiency for ships in the MARPOL Annex VI where it stipulates the requirements on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP). This regulation came into force in 2013

For China and ASEAN countries, maritime cooperation is one of the driving forces for regional economic development. In recent years, "blue economy" has become a key area of cooperation between ASEAN and China. In the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 signed in 2018, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in marine science and technology, marine observation, and disaster prevention and mitigation. At the ASEAN-China special summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, the two sides agreed to work together on "building a blue economy partnership". ASEAN also adopted the Blue Economy Declaration in October of the same year. Although the declaration mentions that ASEAN countries will be committed to strengthening cooperation in the blue economy, specific cooperation projects and cooperation mechanisms have not yet been put into practice.  

The 14th South China Sea International Conference titled "Peaceful Sea – Solid Recovery" is expected to be an unique opportunity for participants to comprehensively analyze the state of affairs of the South China Sea and discuss measures to promote maritime cooperation and explore pathways toward the enhancement of security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.