Senator Loren Legarda, principal author and sponsor of the proposed Blue Economy Act, reaffirmed her strong commitment to advancing a sustainable blue economy through deeper Philippines-France cooperation during today’s high-level dialogue, “Strengthening Philippines–France Cooperation for a Sustainable Blue Economy,” at the Glasshouse, New World Makati Hotel.

“Our blue economy is not just a policy direction; it is a moral and developmental imperative,” Legarda stressed in her opening remarks. “It is the lifeblood of our coastal communities, a driver of economic growth, and a crucial safeguard for the future of our planet.”

This event, co-organized by the Stratbase Institute and the Embassy of France in the Philippines, gathered key stakeholders from the Philippine government, the diplomatic community, academic institutions and think tanks to discuss the necessary steps and actions required to unlock the potential of the Philippine blue economy. The dialogue also served as a preparatory event ahead of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where global marine issues are expected to take center stage.

In her speech, Legarda highlighted the Philippines’ vast maritime domain, which spans 2.2 million square kilometers, and its immense ecological and economic potential. She pointed out that the ocean economy in the country contributed over P787 billion annually from 2018 to 2022, and supported over 2.2 million jobs, which underscores the importance of safeguarding this vital sector.

Legarda also emphasized the alignment of the Philippines and France on key maritime priorities, including their collaborative efforts under the Blue Nations Initiative, which advocates for marine biodiversity protection, sustainable fisheries and the promotion of blue carbon initiatives. She also praised the success of the 100 Days for the Ocean campaign, which represents a shared commitment to the preservation of ocean ecosystems.

“We are committed to furthering joint actions on marine research, aquaculture and the development of climate-resilient ocean industries. By partnering with France, we are ensuring the success of the global 30x30 goal, which aims to protect 30 percent of the world’s oceans and land by 2030,” Legarda said.

The senator highlighted the urgency of addressing pressing challenges such as overfishing, marine habitat degradation, and increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, which threaten both the ecological integrity of the region and the livelihoods of coastal communities. She pointed out that protecting marine resources must go hand-in-hand with defending the country’s sovereign rights in its waters, underscoring the importance of balancing environmental sustainability with national security concerns.

“As we prepare for the UN Ocean Conference in June, let us move beyond dialogue to actionable innovation, and from visionary plans to impactful, real-world implementation,” Legarda urged. “Through continued and strengthened cooperation with France, we can establish a truly regenerative, inclusive blue economy that benefits not only our nations but the global community as a whole.”

The high-level dialogue culminated in a call to action for both nations to further collaborate in advancing sustainable practices that contribute to ocean conservation and the blue economy, emphasizing that the health of the ocean is directly tied to the well-being of coastal communities and the future of the planet.