Launch of OCEAN STATES INITIATIVE Announced at Island States Ocean SummitNew, long-term framework for supporting island states

The Nippon Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, convened the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3-4, 2026. The Summit brought together approximately 300 participants, including His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, heads of state, ministers and senior officials from 35 countries, representatives of United Nations agencies, research institutions, civil society organizations, and ocean experts. The summit was co-chaired by H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau and Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the IOC, and Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation.

Island states, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are widely recognized as being among the states most affected by the impacts of climate change and face an urgent need to strengthen their resilience in response to unprecedented environmental changes. The Island States Ocean Summit was the first international summit dedicated specifically to oceans and island states, with the aim of exploring pathways that support the long-term resilience and self-reliance of SIDS, including through the development of new action plans that support the conservation of marine environments while enabling the sustainable use of ocean resources. The outcomes of the Summit will contribute to future international discussions on biodiversity, climate change, and ocean governance, including COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), COP31 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the BBNJ process, and the IOC’s 2027 Ocean Decade Conference. The Nippon Foundation also intends to convene the Second Island States Ocean Summit in 2030–2031, which will serve as the mid-term review of the Initiative and help shape its second phase.

A major theme of the discussions was Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM), a comprehensive, strategic and future-oriented framework designed to guide decision-making about the overall sustainable use and conservation of a nation’s entire ocean resources. It is a whole-of-society, whole-of-government approach that serves as a unifying umbrella framework for ocean-related governance at all scales. By developing integrated plans for fisheries, tourism, renewable energy, and other ocean-based industries, SOPM helps countries strengthen climate resilience while ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

At the Summit’s concluding session, Mr. Sasakawa announced the launch of the OCEAN STATES INITIATIVE as The Nippon Foundation’s new 10-year action plan to support island states through human resource development, scientific knowledge, and international cooperation, with the goal of balancing ocean conservation and sustainable economic development with a vision to the centuries and millennia to come. The Initiative is built around three pillars: Strengthening Support for Island States through Human Resource Development; Establishing OCEAN HUB; and Developing Innovative Projects with States and the United Nations for SOPM (see below for details).

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to attend the opening of the Island States Ocean Summit together with all of you.
Japan, as an island nation, has from ancient times reaped the rich blessings of the ocean. As we witness rising sea levels due to global warming and a series of disasters caused by extreme weather around the world, I am deeply reminded of the importance of maintaining the delicate balance on Earth through the grand water cycle, where water is brought in from the sea and returns to the sea.
I myself have for many years been interested in water issues, including safe drinking water, sanitation, water transport, climate change and water-related natural disasters, which are deeply intertwined with national and global challenges. I have always hoped that discussions on these issues would be deepened further around the world.
It is my understanding that the purpose of this summit is to promote, through collaboration between private organizations, governments, and international organizations, national-level plans in island nations that aim to achieve both marine environment conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
I would like to express my sincere respect to all of you gathered here and to the participating nations, as you cooperate in sharing your collective wisdom and experience, and, by building upon the latest science while at the same time preserving traditions, endeavor to address global issues through international cooperation.
To be mindful of the ocean and to work for its sound future is, in essence, nothing less than to safeguard our own future. As we face in our times many challenges, including rising sea levels, it is my earnest hope that a sense of solidarity among us will bring harmony and hope to the world.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all.

Today, island states face serious threats, including sea-level rise and extreme weather events caused by climate change. These challenges can no longer be solved by any one country or institution alone.
Through the discussions at this Summit, we have gained a clearer understanding of the actions island states seek from the international community. The Nippon Foundation will invest in people, create platforms for collaboration, and advance concrete initiatives that generate innovation and impact. Together with all those gathered here – across countries, sectors, and generations – we will translate this vision into action and ensure that the benefits of our ocean are passed on to future generations.

We leave Tokyo with something tangible, and practical. We believe the platform being shaped at this summit is the exact mechanism needed to help all Island States translate our plans into real action.

Island states are not starting from zero. The foundations for Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management already exist in many countries through national ocean policies, marine spatial planning and sustainable blue economy initiatives. Our task now is to connect, strengthen and scale these efforts, creating a coherent framework that maximizes impact and reduces fragmentation.

The Initiative will develop professionals from island nations who can address today’s challenges while preparing the next generation of leaders to shape the future. It will also cultivate global talent capable of advancing innovative ocean policies that reflect the voices of island states and support practical solutions. The Nippon Foundation’s human capacity development programs have already trained 2,032 fellows from 158 countries, creating a global network that supports ocean governance and policy implementation.

As a legacy of the Summit, The Nippon Foundation will establish OCEAN HUB, a Tokyo-based hub that will serve as both a focal point for the global network of experts and a coordinating center for existing and future initiatives. The Initiative will also promote innovative projects through a consortium of world-leading institutions, generating the latest science and evidence needed to support ocean policy and decision-making. Together, these efforts will create a hub linking experts, science, and policy.

The Nippon Foundation and the IOC of UNESCO will jointly develop a Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management Support Platform to assist island states in implementing Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM). To support implementation, The Nippon Foundation will provide seed funding and work with the IOC to establish a dedicated fund that encourages contributions from Member States and partners, helping expand and sustain the Platform over time. The long-term objective is to transform partnerships into projects that drive innovation and deliver measurable impact.