Philippines Begins Substantive Preparations for 2025 UN Ocean Conference
MANILA 12 August 2024 – Government officials, scientists, academics and ocean experts convened on 09 August 2024 at the Department of Foreign Affairs to exchange views and collaborate on the Philippines’ preparations for its participation in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), which will be held in Nice, France in June 2025.
Participants included representatives from the Climate Change Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Transport, Department of Energy, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Department of Science and Technology National Academy of Science and Technology, Department of Defense, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as key ocean experts, scientist and academics.
The group discussed various approaches, principles and modalities for the preparations. With the conference looming, sustained inter-agency collaboration is seen as essential to developing a unified and effective national position. Crucially, the group agreed on the importance of bringing into the process other sectors including businesses, scientific community, the academe, the youth, and indigenous and local communities. In this regard, further work will be undertaken by the group to organize a national stakeholder’s meeting later in the year, with a view to having a whole-of-nation effort that will inform the national positions and views to be advocated by the Philippine delegation at the 2025 UNOC.
The UNOC aims to mobilize action for SDG 14 the conservation, protection and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and the marine resources.
As an archipelagic state, the Philippines is acutely aware of the need to conserve and sustainable use the ocean and seas. The Philippine government is committed to playing a leading role in global ocean governance and ensuring the long-term health of the marine environment. Achieving this goal requires ongoing efforts from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals worldwide. The upcoming 2025 UNOC offers a critical platform to showcase the country’s efforts, share best practices, and promote mutual support and international cooperation towards a healthy and sustainable ocean, for present and future generations.
The DFA and the Philippine government will continue to ramp up preparations for the 2025 UNOC through regular engagements with relevant partners and stakeholders, including through the proposed national stakeholder’s meeting. END