In a time when oceans connect us more than ever, solidarity for the sea is not an option—it is a necessity
- The 2026 World Island Expo in Yeosu, South Korea, is not just an event about islands. It is a global platform for countries—both coastal and island nations—to come together and discuss the sustainable future of marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
- As a strategic maritime country facing the Arabian Sea, Pakistan is home to diverse coastal ecosystems and communities
By Lee Sang-ki
The 2026 World Island Expo in Yeosu, South Korea, is not just an event about islands. It is a global platform for countries—both coastal and island nations—to come together and discuss the sustainable future of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. In this context, Pakistan’s participation would add meaningful depth to the international conversation.
As a strategic maritime country facing the Arabian Sea, Pakistan is home to diverse coastal ecosystems and communities. Karachi, in particular, stands as a hub of trade, defense, and industry—but also of countless lives intricately tied to the rhythms of the sea. Yet Pakistan also faces urgent challenges that mirror global maritime concerns: ocean pollution, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and depletion of marine resources.
Yeosu, located on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, is a maritime city surrounded by 365 islands. It successfully hosted the 2010 World Expo under the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast,” where it demonstrated how a city and its islands could coexist with nature while embracing innovation and sustainability. In 2026, Yeosu will once again welcome the world—this time with a focus on “islands” as the lens to reimagine our collective future.
This is not a typical exposition of exhibits and speeches. It is a space of real policy dialogue, technology exchange, and cultural collaboration. And there is much that Pakistan can both gain from and contribute to this gathering.
First, the Expo provides Pakistan an opportunity to present its own coastal challenges and seek international solutions. Climate change and environmental degradation are no longer issues that can be solved in isolation. Coastal regions, especially those home to vulnerable communities, are at the frontline of global ecological change. At Yeosu, Pakistan can take part in shaping an international response rooted in shared responsibility.
Second, South Korea’s advancements in marine environmental technology, sustainable fisheries, and ocean waste management could serve as reference points for Pakistan’s coastal development. Smart coastal surveillance systems, eco-friendly fishing equipment, and educational tools could inspire and support similar efforts in Pakistan’s coastal regions, including Balochistan and Sindh.
Third, the Expo is not only about science and policy—it is also a celebration of coastal culture and community life. Pakistan’s rich coastal heritage, including maritime cuisine, crafts, music, and traditional knowledge, can be showcased to an international audience. The cultural programs at Yeosu offer a chance for Pakistan to present its living coastal traditions and foster people-to-people exchange.
Most importantly, the Island Expo calls on the world to reconsider what islands represent. They are not symbols of isolation or fragility, but places of resilience, creativity, and adaptive survival. In the same way, Pakistan’s coastal communities—fisherfolk, artisans, small traders—have long demonstrated how to live in harmony with the sea under difficult conditions. Their voices deserve a global stage.
Pakistan and South Korea have steadily built strong diplomatic and economic relations over the years. More recently, both countries have emphasized the importance of sustainable development and climate resilience. The Yeosu Island Expo offers an opportunity to deepen this cooperation and turn it into a working model of marine solidarity.
For Pakistan’s youth, policymakers, and experts, participating in the Expo is not merely symbolic. It is a chance to learn from other nations, exchange solutions, and co-create a new vision for the future of its coasts. Yeosu is ready to welcome that conversation. And if Pakistan chooses to be a part of it, the partnership formed will be strong and lasting.
In a time when oceans connect us more than ever, solidarity for the sea is not an option—it is a necessity. We sincerely hope that Pakistan will stand at the heart of that solidarity. In 2026, let us come together in Yeosu and shape a shared future for our seas, islands, and coastal communities.
Read: Let there be peace
_______________
Lee Sang-ki is a senior journalist, Editor-in-Chief of The AsiaN, founding President of Asia Journalists Association and former President of Journalists’ Association of Korea
