On the final day of the IAPH 2025 World Ports Conference on 9 October, a signing ceremony took place between IAPH and the City of Kobe.
This ceremony marked a joint commitment to pursue the sharing of information and cooperation between IAPH members to safeguard stable global trade and world peace.
The joint declaration, which was co-signed by Mayor of the City of Kobe, Kizo Hisamoto, and Jens Meier, IAPH President and CEO, Hamburg Port Authority, reaffirmed the dedication to advancing the sustainable development of the global port and maritime industries.
This would be achieved by information sharing and cooperation among IAPH members.
As an example, the City of Kobe and one of the founder IAPH members, the Port of Seattle, enjoy a longstanding sister port relationship. This was first established in 1957 and has led to various exchanges and collaborations over the years.
As an example, after the tragic 1995 Hanshin earthquake, the Port of Seattle swiftly supported its sister port, Kobe, by sending relief aid, sharing expertise on seismic reconstruction and port resilience, hosting diverted cargo to sustain trade, and organising community solidarity drives, strengthening a lasting partnership based on compassion and technical cooperation.
During his remarks at the signing, Hisamoto stated: “First and foremost, on behalf of the City of Kobe, I would like to once again express my deepest gratitude to the International Association of Ports and Harbors, including President Jens Meier, Secretary General Masahiko Furuichi, Managing Director Patrick Verhoeven, and all members, for their tremendous cooperation and consideration in organising the World Ports Conference 2025.
“It is deeply moving to sign this joint declaration, carrying forward the legacy of our predecessors from 70 years ago. I sincerely hope that IAPH’s activities will expand further, and that the partnership between Kobe City and IAPH will deepen even more.”
READ: IAPH launches cyber resilience guidelines for emerging technologies
Meier added: “The Kobe Declaration is a reaffirmation of the values that have always underpinned the IAPH. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the City of Kobe and its mayor, Kizo Hisamoto, for their longstanding cooperation and trust, which are deeply rooted in the history of the IAPH.
“As we mark 70 years of collaboration and our evolution into a global voice for the world’s ports, we recognise our responsibility to look ahead. Today, more than ever, open and reliable trade relationships form the foundation of international cooperation – and of world peace itself.”
