​In September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly, a Summit of Heads of States adopted the seventeen  Sustainable Development Goals with specific targets achievable by 2030.

Achieving these Goals is not only the responsibility of States but also of regions, provinces, cities and individuals. This will require clear policy leadership, exchange and transfer of technology, the implementation and exchange of best practices, trade, investment, stewardship, and the development of human capacities and expertise, knowledge and skills.

There are a number of immediate and long term policy responses that need to be addressed, beginning with the ocean-related aspects of climate change, trade, and future investments and adjustments to meet sustained and sustainable development across economic, social and environmental dimensions.

In this context, the International Leadership Seminar on current challenges and opportunities in ocean and coastal sustainable development is being convened in Hong Kong (China) under the programme of the International Ocean Institute (IOI), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Shenzhen World Health Foundation (SWHF) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU). The Seminar will cover sectors relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 for oceans, and related development goals such as SDG 11.