The paper pointed out that ocean observation plays a decisive role in understanding, monitoring, and detecting global climate change. The summit brought together administrators and world-renowned scientists from 61 universities and marine-related institutions around the world. The summit has shown the latest developments in marine scientific research and ocean observation technology. Oceanographers from home and abroad held an in-depth discussion on the enhancement of interagency interaction and communication in scientific research and support. The exchange of ideas was very challenging and creative, which attracted more scientific research input, generated more achievements, and also facilitated the development of new ocean observation technology and capabilities.

The paper mentioned that, to establish a sustainable Global Ocean Observation System, we need to put the concept of the development of ocean observation into timely and effective practice and seek global cooperation. However, at present, this kind of cooperation has yet to be developed and academia is in want of a conventional global ocean summit to promote cooperation. Therefore, the Global Ocean Summit was born at an opportune moment.

This paper emphasized that the Global Ocean Summit has promoted exchange and dialogue among marine-related scientific research institutions around the world. During the summit, the agreement entitled “Qingdao Consensus for Future Ocean,” drafted by OUC, was reached, advocating that we should make joint efforts and enhance the rapid development of global marine science and observation technology. In addition, we should also accelerate the wide spread of ocean-focused information and scientific knowledge as well as strengthen the exchange and cooperation among developing countries in the field of ocean development. The consensus was widely appraised by the representatives present at the summit.

The paper also commented that the summit highlighted the desires of the current marine-related institutions around the world to work together to maintain and develop a comprehensive global ocean observation system. The summit also called for the hosting of the summit on a regular basis so as to provide more opportunities for these institutions to promote development and cooperation in different fields of marine science. What’s more, with interaction and coordination, marine-related institutions all over the world will realize the long-term goal of promoting the development of marine science, namely, to build “a sea of peace, cooperation and harmony,” enhancing the prosperity of the whole society and bring benefit to human beings.

It is reported that the 2nd Global Ocean Summit has been tentatively scheduled to be held in Qingdao, which shows the increasingly important role Qingdao plays in global marine science and technology. Prof. Wu Lixin, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, points out that Qingdao, a city featuring marine science and technology, is expected to play a leading role in the innovation system of marine science and technology in China. Meanwhile, it is poised to be a leader in the global marine science and technology and will be one of the most important bases for the development, cooperation and exchange of marine science and technology of the world.