Hong Kong, August 18, 2025 – The inaugural Forum for Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture (the Forum), co-hosted by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) and the China Maritime Museum (Shanghai), in association with the International Congress of Maritime Museums Regional Meeting, will take place from September 23 to 24 at the HKMM. This year’s Forum, themed "Blue Legacy • Green Future," invites the public to join with free registration. The event will bring together over 30 speakers from 19 countries and regions. The forum aims to inspire new perspectives and greater dialogue on the urgent issues facing the Asia Pacific region's maritime heritage and marine environment, while vitalizing Hong Kong's position as a key player on the global maritime cultural stage.

The Forum is a highly anticipated event in the maritime industry, bringing leading scholars, maritime professionals, and cultural experts from around the world. This year, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum is honoured to be one of the hosts. As a unique hub where East meets West, Hong Kong provides an ideal setting for meaningful dialogue. It also plays a significant and unique role in promoting global maritime culture and sustainable development. By fostering deeper understanding and global engagement, the Forum aims to strengthen humanity’s collective commitment to the stewardship of our shared maritime heritage and environment.

Six Programme Themes
The Forum features six programme themes: “The Legacy of Zheng He in a Global Context,” “Preservation and Transmission of Maritime Heritage,” “Tales from the Deep,” “Ports and Society,” “Marine Science through a Cross-Cultural Lens” and “The Mission of the Maritime Industry.”

Impressive Line-up of Speakers
Keynote speakers include Ms. Kristen GREENAWAY, President, International Congress of Maritime Museums, President & CEO, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (USA), and Mr. AN Laishun, Chairman, The Asia Pacific Alliance of International Councils of Museums, Vice President, The China Museums Association, Professor, Shanghai University (China). Both speakers will share valuable insights during the keynote speeches, offering attendees international and diverse perspectives. Participants can also interact with the speakers during the forum.

Ms. Kristen GREENAWAY’s distinguished service to the maritime heritage community has earned significant recognition. GREENAWAY is the first maritime museum leader to receive the National Maritime Historical Society's Distinguished Service Award, an honour previously bestowed on some of the world's most renowned mariners.

Mr. AN Laishun is a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at the School of Cultural Heritage and Information Management, Shanghai University, specializing in cultural heritage and museum studies with decades of scholarly leadership. He holds concurrent roles as Vice President of the Chinese Museums Association, Chair of the International Council of Museums Asia-Pacific Alliance (ICOM-ASPAC), and Director of the ICOM International Museum Research and Exchange Centre (ICOM-IMREC), Guest Researcher at the Palace Museum Academy, External Expert Advisor to the National Museum of China, and Chair of the Board of Zhejiang Museum of Natural History.

Global Maritime Museums — Bridges Across Oceans
One of the keynote speeches on "Global Maritime Museums: Bridges Across Oceans - The Role & Responsibilities of Global Maritime Museums" will be presented by Ms. Kristen GREENAWAY, elaborating on maritime museums as cultural bridges connecting civilizations across oceanic boundaries. Modern maritime museums have evolved to acknowledge complex histories, creating more inclusive narratives, linking global maritime communities, and addressing the challenges of the 21st century.

Many may believe that the role of maritime museums is limited to showcasing historical stories, helping the public understand complex histories such as those of slavery and immigration, and encouraging reflection on current global events. However, the role of maritime museums goes far beyond this. They are not just spaces for visitors but bridges connecting the oceans and civilizations. Through exhibitions and programmes, maritime museums actively promote environmentally conscious and international cooperation, creating deeper and more direct social impacts.

Maritime Cultural Heritage — Crucial Forces in Sustainable Development
In addition, one of the keynote speeches on "Exploring the Multiple Values and Sustainability of Maritime Cultural Heritage" will be presented by Mr. AN Laishun. He will elaborate on the significant role of maritime museums in protecting, researching, interpreting, and disseminating the multiple values of maritime cultural heritage.

The term "maritime cultural heritage" might bring to mind historical artifacts such as ancient ships and anchors for many. However, maritime cultural heritage is not confined to the past; it evolves with time, taking on new meanings. Over the past 50 years, the concept, scope, and value of cultural heritage have been continually evolved, expanding to encompass deeper significance. Today, discussions surrounding the value of maritime cultural heritage and related issues have grown increasingly rich. Maritime cultural heritage not only symbolizes history but also serves as a crucial force for sustainable development.

The inaugural Forum for Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture is not just a collision of thoughts but also a fusion of cultures. By promoting academic collaboration and public engagement, the forum aims to further strengthen the international community's commitment to the protection of maritime cultural heritage and the sustainable development of the marine environment. The HKMM will continue to play a key role in maritime culture and sustainable development with an open and inclusive approach, contributing to the shared global vision of a "Blue Legacy" and "Green Future."

The public is welcome to register by filling the “Registration of Interest” form on the website. Kindly note that the submission of this form does not serve as confirmation of registration. We will confirm your registration by mid-August via email.

For more information please head to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum website.

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