Celebrating the U.N. World Oceans Day: The Philippines Dives Deep at High-Level Event on Ocean Action

Left to Right: Permanent Mission of the Philippine to the UN in New York (NYPM) Adviser Jose Jacinto P. Morales, Department of Foreign Affairs Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (DFA-MOAO) Director Joel M. Peralta, NYPM First Secretary and Legal Adviser Azela G. Arumpac-Marte, Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, NYPM Permanent Representative, Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera, Non-Resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Costa Rica and Philippine Ambassador to Mexico, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Development Management Officer IV Arnold Grant S. Belver, CCC Development Management Officer II Celine T. Pascual, and DFA-MOAO Assistant Elaine L. Lorenzo)

NEW YORK 13 June 2024 – As the world marked the U.N. World Oceans Day, the Philippines, led Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, joined the High-Level Event On Ocean Action: "Immersed in Change" in Costa Rica. The event saw governments and various stakeholders exchange ideas, best practices, and generate solutions in an inclusive manner, for ocean governance and health. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange on topics like sustainable fishing, blue economy, tackling marine plastic pollution, mobilization of finance for the ocean, and use of technologies for ocean cleanup, conservation, and sustainable use. 

Costa Rica, the event host, highlighted solutions to the ocean's environmental crisis, and urged that these solutions be replicated and adapted globally. This focus aligns with, and paves the way for the upcoming Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France in June 2025, co-hosted by Costa Rica and France. The conference will mobilize action and resources towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 - to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

Ahead of the crucial 2025 UN Oceans Conference, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs continues to ramp up engagements with relevant partners and stakeholders, including the French Embassy in Manila. END

At left: Ambassador Lagdameo and French Secretary of State for the Sea and Biodiversity Hervé Berville. At right: French Ambassador for the Poles and Oceans Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, Ambassador Deapera and Director Peralta