IAPH and the City of Kobe sign a joint declaration

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, bringing the three-day event to a close and marking a joint commitment to pursue the sharing of information and mutual 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 Mr. 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 mutual cooperation among IAPH members.

Mutual cooperation based on solid foundations

As an example, the City of Kobe and one of the founder IAPH members Port of Seattle enjoys 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 organized community solidarity drives — strengthening a lasting partnership based on compassion and technical cooperation.

During his remarks at the signing, Mayor of the City of Kobe Mr. Kizo 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 organizing the World Ports Conference 2025.

I understand that over the past two days, numerous advanced and substantive lectures and sessions were held, and through various discussions and exchanges of views, cooperation among ports worldwide has deepened further. As the host city, I am extremely pleased.

I express my respect for the dedicated efforts of the International Association of Ports and Harbors. Today, in Kobe, the birthplace of the IAPH, 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.”

IAPH returns to its roots in Kobe

In 1952, the world’s first international conference dedicated to port cooperation in the post-war period was held at the University of Kobe, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of global port collaboration.

This pioneering event, organized by founding fathers Gaku Matsumoto and the Mayor of Kobe Dr. Chujiro Haraguchi, led to the establishment of IAPH in 1955 at the first official IAPH World Ports Conference which was hosted by the City and Port of Los Angeles in the United States.

Commenting on the joint declaration, IAPH president and Hamburg Port Authority CEO Jens Meier commented:

​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, Mr. 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 recognize 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.

IAPH has since developed into a global alliance of 201 port authorities as well as 175 port-related businesses. Comprised of over 94 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle over one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonization and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalization in the maritime transport chain.