The French Embassy said it wants to work with the Philippine government to improve the accessibility of resources within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), even in the West Philippine Sea.

In a forum on Thursday, dubbed “Strengthening Philippines-France Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy” at the New World Hotel Makati, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said access to resources in the disputed waters and the Philippine EEZ would cover all aspects of the blue economy, as it encompasses many sectors: fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, and maritime transport, among others.

First of the strategic areas in attaining development of the blue economy is the crucial question of balancing resource exploitation with their protection, focusing primarily on fisheries resources, she said.

“What challenges do we face, and how do we succeed or fail in addressing them? How can we work together to find more effective solutions? The presence of the Director General of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture of France among us is a valuable opportunity to exchange views on our respective models and promote the sharing of experiences,” Fontanel disclosed.

Ambassador Fontanel said they wanted to explore new sectors of the blue economy that could be sources of growth and cooperation, particularly the accessibility of resources located within the EEZ of the Philippines, including disputed areas.

“These issues raise significant political and geopolitical concerns that do not have immediate answers but are of utmost importance as we seek sustainable solutions or alternatives. Given these challenges, I firmly believe that deepening cooperation between France and the Philippines can bring part of these answers. France is fully committed to this dynamic, bringing its expertise in marine resource management, innovation for sustainable ocean exploitation, and the fight against illegal fishing,” she assured.

As an archipelagic country whose territory is composed of 88 percent sea and only 12 percent land, the blue economy plays a central role in the development of the Philippines, according to the envoy.

“With 36,000 km of coastline, the Philippines ranks 6th in the world in terms of coastline length. But the blue economy, as a key driver of growth, represents both a tremendous opportunity and a major challenge. Indeed, the exploitation of marine resources inevitably raises the question of their sustainable management, as we depend on them,” she stressed.

The envoy also noted that the overexploitation of certain resources, particularly fisheries, threatens the balance of ecosystems that are increasingly fragile due to human activity and climate change, endangering the future of coming generations.

Blue economy matters

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda, who also spoke at the forum, maintained that the blue economy matters in the country as it supports coastal communities, acts as a driver of growth, and serves as a safeguard for the ocean's future.

“It is our pathway to shared prosperity and planetary well-being. The Philippines, an archipelagic nation of 7,641 islands at the heart of the Coral Triangle, commands a 2.2 million square kilometers maritime domain and 36,289 kilometers of coastline. From 2018 to 2022, our ocean economy contributed P787 billion annually or 4.05 percent of GDP, and sustained over 2.2 million jobs,” the lawmaker stressed.

Moreover, Legarda stressed that using a blue economy lens, the government seeks to harness the country’s marine assets not only for national development but also for deeper international cooperation.

“With our strategic location, ecological richness, and growing ocean industries, the Philippines offers meaningful opportunities for partnership, particularly with France, whose maritime priorities align closely with ours,” she said.