To respond to global resolutions of relevant international conventions, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, and facilitate in-depth discussions on critical issues of international concern in coastal zone research, we hereby launch a global call for proposals for the themes and topics of the World Coastal Forum 2027 Conference. The details are as follows:
I. Background
The World Coastal Forum is co-hosted by the Peoples Government of Jiangsu Province, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The first two sessions were successfully held in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, in 2023 and 2025, and the next Forum will take place in 2027.
The Forum is guided by the vision of “enhancing biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultural services in global coastal areas, while sustaining the livelihoods and well-being of coastal communities and multiple stakeholders.” It is committed to “mobilizing, facilitating, and advancing efforts at local, national, and international levels to implement international commitments, and to protecting, conserving, sustainably managing, and restoring coastal ecosystems through science and practical examples.”
To further pool global expertise, the 2027 WCF invites proposals for its themes and topics from all sectors globally, including United Nations agencies and international conventions, government departments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society organizations, industry associations, and enterprises. We cordially invite all friends who care about coastal ecological protection and sustainable development to contribute your insights and suggestions to the World Coastal Forum 2027 Conference.
II. Thematic Directions
The 2027 World Coastal Forum is planned to feature an Opening Ceremony, Thematic Forums, Thematic Seminars, workshops, and Special Activities. In this context, the Forum Theme refers to the theme of the Opening Ceremony, while the Forum Topics cover the thematic directions for the Thematic Forums, Thematic Seminars, workshops, and Special Activities.
This Call for Proposals is structured around the following four thematic directions. Themes and topics are both encouraged to build upon these areas, though they are not limited to them:
(A) Ecotourism and Nature-Based Experiences
Focusing on migratory waterbird conservation, birdwatching economy, habitat and ecosystem protection, sustainable tourism, and educational study tours and so on, this direction explores pathways for harmonizing ecological protection with the sustainable use of coastal resources.
(B) Biodiversity Conservation and Bioresource Utilization
Addressing coastal biodiversity conservation, gene bank development, and biopharmaceuticals derived from biological resources and so on, this direction examines mechanisms for balancing conservation with sustainable development and for unlocking the value of biological resources.
(C) Coastal Resilience under Climate Change
Centering on blue carbon, coastal ecosystem protection and restoration, and climate change adaptation and so on, this direction explores nature-based solutions and pathways to enhance the resilience of coastal regions in the face of climate change.
(D) Green Energy and Industrial Transition
Focusing on renewable energy development in coastal areas, AI and computing applications, energy transition, and green industry cultivation and so on, this direction explores the synergistic development of clean energy and ecological conservation, and promotes the low-carbon transformation of coastal industries.
III. Guidelines for Submissions
(A) Proposals for the Forum Theme
a.The Forum theme should be presented in both Chinese and English (though proposals in either language alone are also welcome). It may take the form of a single sentence or a parallel phrase. Proposals should take into account hot topics in international conferences, initiatives under relevant international conventions, the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as China’s national strategies such as “supporting high-quality development with high-level protection,” “harmony between humanity and nature,” and “new quality productive forces.” The theme should be concise, distinctive, memorable, and conducive to communication and promotion.
b. Themes from previous Fora for reference:
2025: Beautiful Coasts: Ecological Priority and Green Development (Chinese: 美丽滨海：生态优先 绿色发展)
2023: Our Coasts: Harmony between People and Nature (Chinese: 绿色低碳发展 共享生态滨海)
2022: Harmonious Coexistence: To Build a Community of Life for Man and Nature (Chinese: 和谐共生 携手构建人与自然生命共同体)
c. Each theme proposal may be accompanied by an explanatory note outlining the rationale and concept behind it.
(B) Proposals for Forum Topics
a. The 2027 Forum plans to develop topics around four strategic thematic directions, covering ecotourism, biodiversity conservation and bioresource utilization, coastal resilience under climate change, and green energy and industrial transition. Proposals are encouraged to focus on specific, well-defined issues (“small entry points”) within these areas. The topics will be addressed through Thematic Forums, Thematic Seminars, workshops, and Special Activities. Two thematic forums are planned for the 2027 WCF and will run consecutively (rather than in parallel), while several thematic seminars, workshops, and special activities will run in parallel.
b. Topics from previous Fora for reference:
2025: Conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems; Biodiversity finance and the blue economy; Conservation of Asian migratory waterbird flyways; Partnerships for sustainable coastal management.
2023: Conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems; Coastal synergies for migratory species conservation; Sustainable development in coastal regions; Vibrant coastal zones through public participation.
2022: Opportunities and challenges: conserving coastal ecosystems for harmonious coexistence between man and nature; World Heritage sustainable development dialogue; Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in practice.
c. Each topic proposal may be accompanied by an explanatory note elaborating on the considerations behind it.
IV. Submission
We kindly invite you to submit your proposals by Saturday, September 26 to the following email addresses:
pingping.zhu@worldcoastalforum.org Or
quan.yuan@worldcoastalforum.org
We thank you in advance for your interest and valuable input.
For any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat (Preparatory) of the World Coastal Forum.
Contact person: Zhu Pingping
Tel: (0515) 6902 3089
Email:pingping.zhu@worldcoastalforum.org
