Maritime connectivity and security are essential to global safety and the shared interests of all nations, experts said at a forum in Shanghai on Thursday, calling for greater international cooperation amid rising uncertainties.

The forum, themed "Shared Oceans: Maritime Security and Blue Prosperity", was hosted by Shanghai Maritime University and brought together experts, scholars and students to discuss maritime security, governance, international developments and high-quality growth.

Participants said building a maritime community with a shared future is a key public good that China offers to enhance global ocean governance. The forum is aimed at promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world in the maritime sector, encouraging joint efforts to safeguard maritime security as well as advancing the blue economy.

Chu Beiping, president of Shanghai Maritime University, said the world is undergoing profound changes and that maritime security has become increasingly important. He said achieving win-win outcomes through dialogue and collaboration is essential to promoting cooperation in the blue economy and building a shared maritime future.

Azhar Jaimurzina Ducrest, chief of the Transport Connectivity and Logistics Section at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said in a video address that the forum brought together partners "in a shared journey toward a more resilient, digital and green maritime future".

She highlighted the Asia-Pacific region's pivotal role as an engine of global trade and said efforts to advance maritime connectivity have strengthened economic flows and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to more integrated supply chains and a stronger regional market.

Ducrest also praised China's commitment to international cooperation, citing the Maritime Silk Road as a flagship initiative.

"Success in the maritime sector cannot be achieved without regional solidarity," she said. "China's dedication to fostering partnerships and sharing technical expertise has been a cornerstone of many of our regional successes. The sea does not divide us, it connects us."

During the opening ceremony, young participants from China and abroad launched an initiative titled "Jointly Safeguarding Maritime Security and Building a Shared Ocean Future". Among them was Augustin Degbe, 33, from Togo, who studied at the university and now works there.

Degbe said he hopes to apply the knowledge and experience he has gained in China to improve port and hinterland connectivity in his home country.

"I think the core vision of a community with a shared future for humanity is to ensure that everyone shares in the benefits of development," he said. "We are all stakeholders in protecting the ocean and building a sustainable maritime industry. China is a major player in global blue economy cooperation. As someone from a developing country, I'm here to learn and will try to use what I have learned to help develop my country."

The initiative stated that peace and stability at sea are fundamental to humanity's future and called for joint efforts to safeguard maritime security and promote sustainable development, positioning the ocean as a bridge for peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit among nations.