Philippines Reaffirms Manila Call to Action on Climate Change

Senator Loren B. Legarda (6th from right) at the OCEAN TALK held at the Old Senate Session Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts. From left to right, the honored speakers were Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis M. Alferez, Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert EA Borje, Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs Charles C. Jose, Ambassador of France Marie Fontanel, UN Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral, DILG Undersecretary Marlo I. Iringan. They are joined by members of the diplomatic corps

MANILA 02 June 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda and the French Embassy, held the symposium entitled “OCEAN TALK: The 2015 Manila Call to Action: Charting Philippine Ocean-Climate Policy towards the 2025 UNOC3” back to back with the launch of the “BLUE LANTERNS: Climate Art Installation” on 27 May 2025 as part of the Philippines’ continuing commitment to environmental diplomacy and multilateral climate action.

Held at the Old Senate Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts, OCEAN TALK served as a reaffirmation of the 2015 Manila Call to Action on Climate Change, which underscored the urgent need for global solidarity and climate justice, particularly for vulnerable coastal states such as the Philippines, as well as a send-off event for the Philippine delegation to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) to be held in Nice, France on 9-13 June 2025. 

In line with the Call to Action’s ten (10) year anniversary, OCEAN TALK brought together stakeholders from government, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academe, and youth sectors to take stock of the actions done by the Philippines in pursuit of its advocacies concerning the interlinkage between ocean protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Senator Loren B. Legarda served as the event’s Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. 

The event was likewise graced by prominent officials of the Philippine government, led by Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs Charles C. Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Undersecretary Atty. Jonas R. Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert EA Borje of the Climate Change Commission (CCC). Ambassador Marie Fontanel of the Republic of France led the diplomatic corps in its participation in the symposium. 

In her Keynote Address, Senator Legarda recalled the spirit of the 2015 Call, stating that “climate action must be urgent, inclusive, and deeply rooted in human dignity and environmental integrity.” The Senator further stressed that, “The Manila Call to Action is no longer just a call but a commitment. One built on decades of science, law, diplomacy, and, above all, the lived realities of our people.” 

Senator Legarda, together with Ambassador Fontanel, then led the reaffirmation of the 2015 Manila Call to Action on Climate Change, declaring that climate action requires “collective effort” to create sustainable solutions to secure a “sustainable, just future for all.”

Two important panel discussions subsequently took place. The first panel engaged representatives from Sulubaai Foundation, CORA PH, Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute, France-Philippines United Action Foundation, and Endangered Species International on ocean-climate nexus issues, such as marine plastic pollution, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and conservation of marine biodiversity, all aligned with the aim and purpose of UNOC3 towards achieving SDG14. 

The second panel, which featured Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Carlo Sorreta, tackled the challenges and opportunities of utilizing international law, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS, to address the issues arising from the ocean-climate nexus.  He also touched on his experience as an active participant in the proceedings that led to the ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Climate Change, as well as the forthcoming ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change. 

Participants to OCEAN TALK were also treated to a special exhibition at the sidelines of the event curated by the Agence Française de Developpement (AFD) entitled “SHARED OCEAN: Building a Blue and Sustainable Future,” showcasing key strategies for ocean conservation, protection, and restoration.

OCEAN TALK was followed by “BLUE LANTERNS: Climate Art Installation,” at Fort Santiago in Intramuros. Spearheaded by the Embassy of France and the Litre of Light Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of Senator Legarda, the event served as a ceremonial send-off for the Philippine Delegation to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to be held in Nice, France in June 2025, where the Philippines will advance its advocacy for ocean-based climate solutions and rules-based maritime governance.

Both OCEAN TALK and BLUE LANTERNS emphasized the need to translate Philippine policy commitments into tangible actions and fostered creative approaches to climate diplomacy. They likewise reaffirmed the Philippines’ role as a champion for ocean and climate justice, rooted in its deep cultural, ecological, and geopolitical ties to the sea. END

Ambassador Carlo D. Sorreta, the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, discussed the UN Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS, and his active participation in the ITLOS and the forthcoming ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change proceedings

Representatives from non-governmental organizations, civil society, and youth sectors. From left to right from Sen. Legarda, Antoinette Taus of CORA PH, John Rey V. Reyes of Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute, Olivier Guilluy of France-Philippines United Action Foundation, Pierre Fidenci of Endangered Species International, and Frederic Tardieu of Sulubaai Foundation

The Blue Lanterns art installation at the Fort Santiago, Intramuros