The '2026 Yeosu World Island Expo,' which shared the cultural and future values of islands worldwide, has concluded its 61-day journey.
On November 4, the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City held the closing ceremony at the Dolsan main venue, announcing the 'Yeosu Island Declaration' that calls for the preservation of island nature and culture, as well as the establishment of 'World Islands Day' as a UN international observance.
The closing ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 people, including Min Hyung-bae, the Mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, Seo Young-hak, the Mayor of Yeosu, and Park Soo-kwan, the private committee chair of the expo, along with members of the National Assembly, local council chairs, Yeosu citizens, and visitors.
Over the past 61 days, islands from various countries gathered in Yeosu to share their unique histories and cultures while exploring sustainable development directions amid climate crises and marine environmental changes, adding significance to the expo.
The closing ceremony featured a video showcasing key moments from the expo, followed by expressions of gratitude, the closing declaration, the reading of the island declaration, and celebratory performances.
The video included scenes of island residents, volunteers, organizers, and visitors who contributed to the expo, providing a reflective moment on the 61-day journey.
Mayor Min expressed gratitude to Yeosu citizens, island residents, volunteers, and related agencies for their support in successfully hosting the expo. The official schedule of the expo concluded with the closing declaration by Mayor Seo Young-hak.
A key highlight of the closing ceremony was the 'Yeosu Island Declaration,' which encapsulated a collective commitment to a sustainable future for islands.
The declaration outlined five action items: preserving island nature and culture, jointly responding to climate change, enhancing the health and safety of island residents, harmonizing environmental conservation with regional development, and urging the establishment of 'World Islands Day' as a UN international observance.
Min Hyung-bae, Seo Young-hak, Park Soo-kwan, and representatives of citizens read the declaration together, expressing their shared commitment to safeguarding the value of islands for future generations.
Following this, a card section ceremony involving 30 children and attendees conveyed a hopeful message for the future of islands.
The celebratory performances included traditional Korean music by the Yeosu Municipal Traditional Music Group, a choir performance by the Yeosu Municipal Choir, and a trot performance by the expo's ambassador, Han Soo-jung, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the closing ceremony.
The event concluded with a fireworks display lighting up the Yeosu night sky, marking the grand finale of the 61-day expo.
Mayor Min stated, "The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo was a meaningful occasion where islands from various countries gathered to share their histories and cultures and to contemplate the climate crisis and the future of islands together. I deeply thank the Yeosu citizens, island residents, volunteers, and related agencies for their collective efforts in making this expo a success."
He added, "We will carefully examine the achievements and challenges left by the expo and expand the opportunities for industry and growth that islands possess. We will implement practical policies to ensure that island residents can travel more conveniently and receive medical services with peace of mind, allowing them to live on the islands for a long time."
This expo not only highlighted the cultural diversity and ecological value of islands but also presented shared challenges in responding to climate crises and improving living conditions for island residents.
In particular, the call for the establishment of 'World Islands Day' as a UN international observance is seen as a proposal to raise awareness of the environmental and cultural values of islands in the international community and to foster ongoing attention and cooperation on common issues faced by island regions.
Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City plans to link the environmental conservation and quality of life improvement tasks for island residents presented during this expo with future policies. The challenge remains whether the achievements of the expo can lead to tangible improvements in transportation, medical services, and living conditions that island residents can feel.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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