Historic 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy inaugurated in New Delhi
First-ever Conference on Ocean Governance in Indian Subcontinent Focuses on Developing World Perspectives.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to deliver the Valedictory Address today.
NEW DELHI: The 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48) was inaugurated Wednesday at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, marking a historic milestone as the first time this prestigious international conference is being held in the Indian subcontinent. The conference, themed “Developing World Approaches to Ocean Governance: Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Rim,” brings together distinguished experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, who delivered the inaugural keynote address. Prof. Ronán Long, Director, WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, also graced the inaugural ceremony and delivered concluding remarks. The ceremony also featured distinguished online addresses by Ambassador Hasanthi Dissanayake, Director General, Ocean Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, and Dato’ Monaliza binti Suhaimi, Chairman and Director General, Maritime Institute of Malaysia.
Keynote Addresses
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, emphasised the Indian Ocean’s critical contribution to climate regulation, livelihoods, and security. He cautioned about the rising threats of marine heatwaves, sea-level rise, and over-exploitation, while stressing key priorities such as livelihood and food security, South-South cooperation, renewable ocean energy, sustainable blue economy growth, and marine spatial planning. “Ocean is our future—food, water, energy, health, climate, and security. Collaboration is the key,” he remarked.
Ambassador Hasanthi Dissanayake, Director General of Ocean Affairs, underlined the ocean as a “living entity” and called for regional frameworks, science-driven policy, and inclusive diplomacy. She recalled Sri Lanka’s historic 1971 UN proposal to declare the Indian Ocean a Zone of Peace, stressing that the region’s stability is critical for global prosperity.
Dato’ Monaliza binti Suhaimi, Director General of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), in a recorded message, reaffirmed COLP as a “premium platform for the Global South.” She highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Malacca, the role of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and urged greater cooperation to tackle maritime crime, climate change, and marine pollution while reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to UNCLOS and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Welcome Address
Dr. Abhay Singh, Director of the School of Maritime Law and Policy, Gujarat Maritime University, welcomed the delegates, describing the event as a “historic moment for the Indian subcontinent.” He highlighted the importance of addressing the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—through collaborative dialogue, and emphasised the Indian Ocean’s dual role as both a global trade highway and vital ecological system.
Concluding Remarks
Prof. Ronán Long, World Maritime University, praised India’s leadership and the strong international collaboration behind COLP48. He noted the conference’s impressive diversity, featuring 12 thematic panels and 11 global partner institutions, and underlined the critical importance of action-oriented outcomes for effective ocean governance.
About COLP48
As the oldest continuous multilateral gathering on oceans law and policy, COLP48 represents nearly five decades of scholarly dialogue and collaboration on maritime challenges. This year’s conference is being hosted by Gujarat Maritime University (GMU) in partnership with the U.S. Naval War College’s Stockton Center for International Law and the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute.
The conference brings together an impressive consortium of international partners, including the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance (CLIMA) at the University of Copenhagen, Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), IMO-International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), UiT Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS), NUS Centre for International Law (CIL), and the National Maritime Foundation (NMF).
Focus on Indian Ocean Rim
The conference addresses the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Indian Ocean Region, with particular emphasis on:
• Triple Planetary Crisis: Addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution in the Indian Ocean
• Maritime Security and Trade: Critical law of the sea challenges and international shipping
• Sustainable Development: Offshore resources, critical infrastructure, and the blue economy
• Emerging Technologies: AI applications, autonomous shipping, and new regulatory frameworks
• Resource Management: Seabed mineral mining and fisheries sustainability
• Legal Frameworks: Maritime boundaries and international dispute settlement
Distinguished Speakers
The conference features an exceptional lineup of speakers including:
• Judge Neeru Chadha, Vice President, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
• Prof. James Kraska, Chair, Stockton Centre for International Law
• Prof. Ronán Long, Director, WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute
• Prof. Maximo Q. Mejia, President, World Maritime University
• Dr. Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Director, Marine Policy Centre, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
• Ambassador Arif Havas Oegroseno, Vice-Minister, Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Government Support
The conference has received strong support from multiple ministries of the Government of India, including the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This multi-ministerial support underscores the significance of ocean governance for India’s maritime interests and regional leadership.
Conference Schedule
• 09 September: Inaugural ceremony and welcome reception
• 10-11 September: Academic conference sessions covering eight major themes
• 12 September: Delhi Darshan (Sightseeing for international delegates)
Valedictory Address:
The conference will culminate with a valedictory address by Hon’ble Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, on 11 September 2025.
Academic Impact
The proceedings and findings of COLP48 will be published in an edited volume titled “Developing World Approaches to Ocean Governance: Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Rim,” edited by James Kraska, Ronán Long, and S. Shanthakumar, ensuring the conference’s contributions reach the broader academic and policy community.
Significance for India
Hosting COLP48 reinforces India’s growing role in ocean governance and maritime diplomacy. As a major Indian Ocean power, India’s perspectives on sustainable ocean management, maritime security, and blue economy development are crucial for regional and global maritime governance frameworks.
The conference provides an unprecedented platform for developing nations, particularly those in the Indian Ocean Rim, to contribute meaningfully to international discussions on ocean law and policy that have traditionally been dominated by developed nations.