DFA Convenes National Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in Preparation for 2025 UN Oceans Conference
MANILA 22 November 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) and its government and non-government partners, successfully convened the Philippine National Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in preparation for the 2025 United Nations Oceans Conference in support of SDG 14 (UNOC3).
The two-day workshop, supported by additional congressional funding through the efforts of Senator Loren Legarda, brought together government and non-government stakeholders to discuss key ocean issues, identify national priorities, and develop recommendations to inform the Philippine participation at UNOC3, to be held in Nice, France in June 2025, and to increase awareness and mobilize action on achieving SDG 14 - to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
A key objective of the workshop was to produce a consolidated report and recommendations, including a list of voluntary commitments that the Philippines could submit at UNOC3. These voluntary commitments are a key component of the "Nice Ocean Action Plan," which will include an intergovernmentally agreed declaration.
The workshop featured comprehensive presentations from key ocean and development experts from governments and the scientific community, including Dr. Victor Brun, Science Lead at the Ocean & Climate Platform based in Paris, France, Ms. Francesca Fuentes of the Embassy of France in Manila, Assistant Mr. Dustin Adriel Sulat of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Ms. Lea Avila of the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), and Dr. Laura David of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.
At the heart of the workshop was the small group discussions on four main themes: 1) Marine and coastal ecosystem conservation and addressing pollution in all forms; 2) Ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus; 3) Sustainable fisheries management and artisanal fisheries; and 4) Sustainable Ocean-Based Economies. The participants also weaved into the discussions the cross-cutting themes of: a) Implementing and enforcing UNCLOS and international law; b) Promoting international cooperation, especially regional and sub-regional; and c)Mobilizing finance in support of SDG 14.
These discussions were facilitated by experts and aimed to identify concrete actions, especially the voluntary commitments that the Philippines could make to address the most compelling ocean priorities.
The successful convening of the workshop marks a significant step in the Philippines' preparations for UNOC3, and accelerating action towards achievement of SDG 14. It highlights the country's commitment to a whole-of-nation and multi-stakeholders approach to addressing ocean issues and contributing to global efforts to achieve SDG 14. The workshop provided a platform for diverse stakeholders to share their knowledge and perspectives, fostering collaboration and ensuring a unified national position and action for UNOC3, and SDG 14.
At the conclusion of the workshop, DFA-MOAO Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez emphasized that the DFA and the Philippine government will continue to collaborate with stakeholders. The workshop outputs, including the consolidated report and recommended list of voluntary commitments, will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders and made publicly available on the DFA website, ensuring transparency and continued engagement.
UNOC3 is the third in a series of UN conferences aimed at supporting the implementation of SDG 14. The previous conferences were held in New York in 2017 and Lisbon, Portugal in 2022. The upcoming conference in Nice, France in June 2025, is co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica. The overarching theme of UNOC3 is "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". The conference will involve ten plenary sessions, ten Ocean Action panels, and an interactive debate among States and other relevant stakeholders. The main intended outcome of UNOC3 is the “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” which will include a brief, concise, action-oriented and intergovernmentally-agreed declaration, and a list of voluntary commitments from governments and stakeholders.
The Philippines, as an archipelagic state, understands the importance of a healthy ocean for its environment, economy, and national security. Indeed, in line with the right to a healthy ecology guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution, the Philippine government has been mainstreaming SDG 14 into its Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2023-2028) with key efforts focusing on strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), promoting sustainable fisheries, addressing marine pollution, combating climate change impacts, and promoting ocean governance, particularly in line with the UNCLOS.
This workshop demonstrates the Philippines' proactive approach and commitment to the global effort in achieving SDG 14.
#DFASustainableOcean
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