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[Research Contribution] The Role of Technology in Marine Economic Development: International Perspectives

7 November, 2025

Keywords: Ocean Technology, Ocean Economy, sustainable development, co-creation

In the era of the green transition, technology is unlocking new ways for humanity to understand and sustainably govern the ocean. At the panel discussion “Ocean Technology in the Ocean Economy Ecosystem”—part of the Ocean Future 2025 conference co-organized by the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), and the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee—international and Vietnamese experts convened to share practical experiences, models, and initiatives aimed at leveraging the role of science and technology in marine economic development, in conjunction with ecological conservation and community values.

When Ocean Technology Becomes a Bridge

In the context of accelerating climate change and urbanization, managing coastal areas requires not only scientific knowledge but also a deep understanding of the lives and memories of local communities.

Ms. Julia Babcock, a sustainable development expert from the United States, and Dr. Chu Manh Trinh, a lecturer at Da Nang University of Education and a pioneer in marine protected area management in Vietnam (retired after decades of dedication to the Cù Lao Chàm – UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve), emphasized that resource management requires a combination of advanced technology and indigenous knowledge. Technology should not be seen as a tool that separates humans from nature, but as a means to harmonize production and conservation.

Connecting Indigenous Knowledge and Technology – Lessons in Sustainable Recovery from Damaged Oceans

When development disrupts natural and cultural systems, ecosystems become fragmented and gradually lose their inherent value. The Florida Bay coastal region is a prime example: once one of the richest fishing grounds in the area, it suffered severe degradation after decades of over-exploitation. However, thanks to long-term restoration efforts and a growing appreciation for its natural history, the region has now become a global symbol of ocean regeneration and the first “Hope Spot” recognized by the organization Mission Blue.

Drawing from this experience in her home country, Ms. Babcock also shared insights from the state of Oregon, where government agencies are collaborating with indigenous communities to adapt to climate change. The Oregon Coastal Atlas project was developed to integrate LIDAR technology, spatial data, and local knowledge, enabling a more proactive response to flooding, erosion, and the fluctuations of natural systems.

Julia Babcock reflecting on her 15 years of work with coastal communities in Central Vietnam

Linking Knowledge – Connecting Communities: A Journey of Co-creating Ecology and Sustainable Development in Coastal Southeast Asia

The concept of “co-creation” recalls the collaborative journey between Oregon and Vietnam, which began in 2010 with joint field programs implemented through UN-Habitat in master planning and spatial planning. From these joint efforts in Cù Lao Chàm and Central Vietnam, the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) model emerged as an interdisciplinary approach to promoting community participation.

Dr. Chu Manh Trinh sharing his 15-year journey with the Cham Islands MPA

In these communities, sustainable development is both a process and an outcome. In the upstream region, the Co Tu people established a community-based tourism cooperative and built a performance hall to attract a wider range of visitors, helping them better understand the cultural links between the forest, river, and sea.

Innovation from a Systems Perspective – The Journey of Value Creation in the Asian Context

“How can we create a new Silicon Valley in Asia?” According to Dr. Christopher Han—who holds a Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and is a visiting professor of Innovation Thinking at KAIST Business School (South Korea)—that question cannot be answered by simply copying an existing model.

“Silicon Valley” is not just a place of technology; it is an ecosystem where stakeholders from universities, the investment community, startups, and the public and private sectors operate as a “system of systems.” Innovation, he argues, is not just creating something new, but creating something new that delivers value—and that value must be defined within the local context. This approach opens up a development path for coastal cities like Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa, where technology, people, and nature can collectively shape a sustainable future.

When the Ocean Becomes the World’s New Economic Infrastructure

He cited figures showing that the global marine economy is currently valued at $2.5 trillion, equivalent to 5% of the world’s GDP. If considered a nation, it would be the seventh-largest economy globally. This landscape is shaped by key sectors such as offshore energy, fisheries, marine tourism, maritime transport, and marine biotechnology, along with emerging fields like underwater robotics, ocean data analytics, and carbon capture technology. All are shifting towards a new development model—the data economy, where data becomes the core infrastructure for artificial intelligence and green technology applications.

Dr. Christopher Han presenting at the panel discussion

Co-creating Innovation in the Marine Economy: The Synergistic Roles of Universities, Businesses, and the Public Sector

According to Dr. Han, sustainable innovation needs to be co-created by three pillars: universities, businesses, and the public sector, each with specific roles:

Universities are not only centers for training and research but also hubs of innovation, hosting living labs, testbeds, and practical technology experimentation spaces. They also nurture a creative workforce and provide scientific evidence for policymaking. He particularly praised the innovative spirit of UEH students, viewing it as a testament to Vietnam’s creative potential within the regional innovation ecosystem.
Businesses are the centers for commercializing research and realizing ideas. He emphasized the role of “smart money”—venture capital funds willing to take risks to nurture promising ideas. Additionally, public-private partnership (PPP) models and green financial instruments like blue finance and sustainable bonds are seen as drivers for spreading innovation in the marine economy.
The public sector plays a role in setting direction and creating a favorable environment. The government can promote innovation through strategic investments in R&D, infrastructure, and startups, while also enacting flexible policies, encouraging cross-border collaboration, and opening access to ocean data—a foundation for creativity. A prime example is the Start Blue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator at the University of California, San Diego, which received $13.5 million in U.S. government funding to develop a university-linked green startup ecosystem.

The OCEAN Framework for the Blue Economy – A Foundation for Building an Innovation Ecosystem

Drawing from these experiences, Dr. Han introduced the OCEAN framework—five pillars for promoting innovation in the marine economy: Open Data, Collaborative Clusters (building clusters between government, business, and academia), Enabling Regulations (creating a marine technology sandbox), Access to Capital (expanding sources of green innovation funding), and Net-zero Alignment (linking innovation to emission reduction and sustainable development goals). This is a system designed to connect knowledge, capital, technology, and policy, all aimed at achieving global sustainable development.

Concluding his presentation, Dr. Han stated: “The ‘silicon’ in Silicon Valley is originally just ‘sand.’ Nha Trang—a city of blue seas and white sands—not only possesses countless grains of sand but is also rich in human potential. By applying a ‘system of systems’ approach, focusing on human values and local understanding, Nha Trang can absolutely rise to become a regional hub for innovation.”

Author: Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM) – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All.” UEH cordially invites readers to look forward to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: Authors, UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships

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