A group of the world's major maritime organizations and leading figures suggested that China host an international forum on maritime cities every year, to discuss the various problems associated with the development of coastal cities.

The proposal was made when they attended a conference held by the United Nations Environment Programme in the coastal city of Xiamen, in East China's Fujian province, in October 2004.

In 2005 and 2006, the city held the Xiamen International Forum for Coastal Cities, helping to expand the forum's global presence.

The next year, the forum was upgraded to World Ocean Week with the support of the then State Oceanic Administration, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and Xiamen University.

The annual WOW is held in the first week of November and it has become one of the two major international water-themed events, together with World Water Week, or WWW, since 2007.

At present, WOW is a platform linking global ocean policies, technology, decision-making and action.

It aims to provide a cooperation and exchange platform for the governments of coastal cities, marine science and technology circles, international and intergovernmental organizations, maritime-related enterprises and institutions around the world. It is devoted to promoting the global maritime industry industry and the sustainable utilization of marine resources -- and is committed to creating marine culture programs, with wide public participation and enhancing public awareness of marine culture.

Domestic and overseas guests attend a WOW meeting. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]

It has been held 15 years since its establishment in 2005 and has grown into a platform that links global ocean policies, technology, decision-making and action. It is an annual international event integrating ocean forums, ocean-themed exhibitions and cultural activities.

More than 2,500 people, including experts and representatives from over 50 countries and regions and over 10 major international organizations attend WOW, which receives over 100,000 visits every year.

Participants hold talks at a WOW meeting. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]