Oceans play a critical role in sustaining life on Earth, covering over 70% of the planet’s surface and providing vital resources and ecosystem services. The health of our oceans is essential for maintaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring food security. Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) emphasizes the need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources, making it imperative to strengthen efforts in marine conservation and sustainable governance. 

For a maritime nation like the Philippines, oceans are indispensable. They serve as the lifeblood of Filipinos, ensuring food security, enabling livelihoods, and facilitating trade and connectivity. However, these vital ecosystems are increasingly under threat from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.  The decline in marine biodiversity and the degradation of essential habitats pose significant risks to the country’s food security and economic stability.  

To address these pressing challenges, the Philippines must develop strategic solutions to promote the sustainable use and conservation of oceans. Strengthening partnerships with like-minded states such as France is one viable solution. France has been a staunch advocate for the protection of oceans and marine biodiversity, as demonstrated by its recently launched “Blue Nations” initiative in the Philippines. Collaborating with France can provide valuable insights, resources, and support for the Philippines’ efforts to safeguard its oceans. 

In line with this, the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with the Embassy of France in the Philippines, organized a hybrid conference entitled, ”Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Ocean Biodiversity Conservation” on 16 October 2024 (Wednesday), from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (PHT) at the Manila House Private Club, 8/F Seven/NEO Building, 5^th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, and livestreamed via Zoom. 

Happening on the same week as the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and ahead of the most anticipated United Nations Oceans Conference happening in 2025, this event gathered key stakeholders from the government, diplomatic community, academe, and think tanks to identify critical threats in the Philippine waters and discussed ways to promote the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. It provided an avenue for fostering partnerships and sharing best practices to ensure a more sustainable and secure future for the Philippines.