Our Ocean Conference 2025 Begins in South Korea

Intermediate Level | May 5, 2025

✨ Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

A Global Event for a Shared Future

South Korea is hosting the 2025 Our Ocean Conference this week, bringing together world leaders, scientists, and activists. The event is focused on protecting our oceans from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. With over 100 countries attending, it’s one of the largest international efforts to protect marine life and the health of our planet.

What Is the Conference About?

The Our Ocean Conference began in 2014 and has grown into a major global event. Each year, countries make new promises (called “commitments”) to protect the ocean. These include things like reducing plastic waste, creating marine protected areas, and supporting sustainable fishing practices.

Why It Matters Now

Experts say that ocean health is reaching a critical point. Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing are damaging ecosystems around the world. South Korea, surrounded by water and with a strong fishing industry, wants to take a leadership role. Hosting the conference shows its commitment to a cleaner and safer ocean future.

What to Watch For

During the event, expect announcements of new partnerships, funding for ocean research, and tougher laws on pollution. There may also be student and youth panels, art exhibits, and technology demonstrations. The conference aims to include voices from all sectors—not just governments.

Vocabulary

Conference (noun): A formal meeting for discussion.
- Example: The Our Ocean Conference is being held in South Korea.
Pollution (noun): Harmful materials that damage the environment.
- Example: Ocean pollution is a big problem for marine animals.
Commitment (noun): A promise to do something.
- Example: Countries made commitments to reduce plastic waste.
Marine (adjective): Related to the sea or ocean.
- Example: Rising water temperatures affect marine life.
Ecosystem (noun): A community of living things and their environment.
- Example: Coral reefs are important marine ecosystems.
Sustainable (adjective): Able to continue without causing harm.
- Example: Sustainable fishing helps protect fish for the future.
Overfishing (noun): Catching too many fish, harming the environment.
- Example: Overfishing can destroy marine ecosystems.
Plastic waste (noun): Trash made from plastic.
- Example: Plastic waste often ends up in the ocean.
Illegal (adjective): Not allowed by law.
- Example: Illegal fishing hurts the environment and the economy.
Climate change (noun): Long-term changes in the earth’s temperature and weather patterns.

Example: Climate change is causing sea levels to rise.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is the main goal of the Our Ocean Conference?
Why is South Korea hosting the event?
What problems are affecting the oceans today?
What kinds of actions are expected from the conference?
Why is it important for young people to be involved?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Have you ever been to the ocean? What was it like?
What do you think is the biggest threat to ocean health?
How can individuals help protect the ocean?
Should companies be required to reduce plastic use?
What role should your country play in protecting the environment?

Related Idiom

“In deep water”
Meaning: To be in a difficult or dangerous situation.
Example: Without strong action, we’ll be in deep water when it comes to ocean pollution.

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This article was inspired by reporting from The Korea Herald and global coverage of the 2025 Our Ocean Conference.