Senator Loren Legarda expressed firm support for deeper collaboration between the Philippines and France to promote a sustainable blue economy, calling it both a moral and developmental priority.
“Our blue economy is more than a policy direction. It is a moral and developmental imperative,” Legarda said during a forum held in Makati on Friday.
“It is the lifeblood of our coastal communities, a driver of growth, and a safeguard for our planet’s future,” she added.
The event, organized by the Stratbase Institute and the French Embassy, served as a prelude to the upcoming 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference set for June 9–13 in Nice, France. It brought together stakeholders from government, academia, and the diplomatic and research communities to discuss challenges and opportunities in the country’s ocean economy.
Legarda pointed to the Philippines’ 2.2 million square kilometers of maritime territory, which generated over PHP787 billion and supported 2.2 million jobs annually from 2018 to 2022. She noted shared priorities with France through the Blue Nations Initiative and the 100 Days for the Ocean campaign, both of which promote marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and blue carbon projects.
“We welcome continued joint action on marine research, aquaculture, and climate-resilient ocean industries,” she said. “Together with France, we are committed to advancing the global 30×30 goal to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and water by 2030.”
Legarda also raised concerns over marine degradation, overfishing, and West Philippine Sea tensions, emphasizing that sustainability must go hand-in-hand with the protection of sovereign rights.
“As we prepare for the UN Ocean Conference in June, let us move from dialogue to innovation, and from vision to impactful implementation,” she said.
“Through strong Philippines–France cooperation, we can build a truly regenerative, inclusive blue economy.”