Singapore will leverage its marine expertise and regional partnerships to support global ocean conservation efforts, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced on October 7 during the OceanX Summit held aboard the research vessel OceanXplorer at Marina at Keppel Bay.

Gan, who also serves as Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry, emphasized the importance of international collaboration given that the ocean, a vital but largely unexplored resource, transcends national jurisdictions. “No country owns the ocean, and no country can protect it alone,” he said, underscoring the shared responsibility for sustainable management.

The OceanX Summit brings together experts from diverse fields such as ocean science, technology, education, and finance to promote marine research and preservation. Gan highlighted Singapore’s recent involvement in an expedition conducted in 2025 by researchers from the National University of Singapore and OceanX. The 24-day mission focused on the Monsoon Rise, a little-studied seamount chain in international waters near Christmas Island, where the team mapped over 8,300 square kilometers of the seabed and documented rare deep-sea species including bioluminescent sharks and sea pigs.

This expedition was part of a broader multinational collaboration involving scientists from Indonesia, Fiji, Thailand, and Vietnam. Findings were showcased through interactive exhibits aboard the OceanXplorer, featuring 3D models of underwater terrains and virtual reality experiences simulating submersible dives and marine life tracking.

Gan linked such research initiatives to the implementation of the United Nations High Seas Treaty, an international agreement aimed at protecting biodiversity and regulating activities in the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. Singapore is among more than 100 signatories to the treaty, which establishes legal frameworks for biodiversity preservation, environmental impact assessments, fair sharing of benefits from deep-sea discoveries, and enhanced participation of developing countries in marine research.

“The treaty gives the international community a framework to preserve biodiversity and use marine resources responsibly,” Gan said. He further noted Singapore’s strengths lie in conducting high seas research and facilitating knowledge exchange, which align with key objectives of the treaty. Advancements in technology, including sensors, robotics, and artificial intelligence, are expanding capabilities to monitor oceanic changes and ecosystems more effectively.

Two weeks prior, Singapore also launched a $60 million national marine science initiative through the National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences. The initiative aims to develop tools that support both ecological sustainability and economic growth in the region, addressing challenges such as coastal development and climate change impacts on coral reefs and marine habitats.

Gan underscored the need to translate research into practical solutions, highlighting the different roles played by governments, private companies, and philanthropic organizations in this process. He noted philanthropic entities provide “patient capital, networks, and expertise” necessary to nurture early-stage ideas whose commercial returns may take time but hold significant potential.

The summit also featured Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron, known for directing Titanic and Avatar, who is involved with the National Geographic documentary series OceanXplorers. Cameron, who made history in 2012 as the first person to complete a solo dive to the Mariana Trench’s Challenger Deep at nearly 11,000 meters, stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of the ocean’s deepest regions using underwater robotics. He compared the complex dynamics of the ocean to the atmosphere, noting that one-time data collection is insufficient to understand ongoing changes, including carbon movements that influence climate change.

“Until we understand the carbon movements in the ocean, we will never get a full picture of the speed and impact of climate change,” Cameron said during the forum.