September 2025 is World Maritime Day 2025; inviting each of us to look at what maritime means for us and how the maritime supports our lives. This year, the theme for World Maritime Day is “Our Ocean, Our Opportunity, Our Obligation”.

The ocean, both historically and in the modern age, has been a major source of food, world trade, energy, and livelihoods. Today, there is no aspect of the ocean that has been untouched by humanity; be it environmental impacts, heightened safety risk, or security threats caused by increased maritime activities. The care of the ocean remains a primary responsibility of humanity that requires better maritime governance and both regional and international cooperation to ensure a holistic and sustainable.

As such, it is imperative that we see maritime governance as both an opportunity and obligation to use the ocean’s resources in a sustainable manner and enhance maritime security to guard against security threats; while at the same time protecting the marine environment for future generations. Maritime security plays a key role in maritime governance to protect the people that rely on the ocean for their livelihood and guard our vital ocean resources from threats, both existing and emerging.

Moreover, the importance of training a skilled maritime workforce that is capable of answering the challenges we face and adapting to new challenges as we transition to a sustainable future is essential. This will offer job opportunities for a critical sector of the global economy that drives international trade, and may offer new fields for sustainable development in the maritime space.

Consequently, “Our Ocean, Our Opportunity, Our Obligation” should be a driving force for sustainable maritime governance models that ensure cooperation at national, regional and international levels.