28-30 April 2025, Busan - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul took part along with other Philippine representatives in the 10th Our Ocean Conference, held from 28 - 30 April 2025 in Busan, ROK. 

The Philippine delegation to the OOC brought senior-level members of oceans-related national agencies together to discuss marine issues, propose further cooperation in support of our national goals, and affirm voluntary commitments from the Philippines on critical areas such as strengthening and institutionalizing ocean governance, marine pollution, protection of our coral reefs, and the conservation of endangered marine species, among others. 

Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the delegation. He was joined by Undersecretary Drusila Bayate of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Undersecretary Marlo Iringan of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and Maritime and Oceans Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

During the session plenary for maritime pollution, Undersecretary Leones highlighted the successes of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which works hand-in-hand with the ocean-based plastic recovery initiatives of the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as the ongoing formulation of a National Ocean Environments Policy for the holistic protection and conservation of our marine environments—from Ridge to Reef to Shelf, and even in areas beyond national jurisdiction. 

Members of the delegation likewise participated in several panel sessions including Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century and “From Busan to Nice: Accelerating Ambition in the Race for Ratification of the High Seas Treaty” where DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs (MOAO) Louis Alferez represented the Philippines. During these side events, Assistant Secretary Alferez highlighted promoting adherence to international law and the rules-based order, effective diplomacy, building better platforms for engagement and cooperation, and building up domestic capacities as part of the Philippines’ maritime statecraft. He also underscored the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to promoting multilateralism and adherence to international law, particularly the UNCLOS - the Constitution of the Ocean - through the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement. 

Under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Action,” the conference was organized around six Areas of Action: blue economy; sustainable fisheries; maritime security; marine pollution; climate change; and marine protected areas. 

The Philippine delegation also held bilateral meetings with other participating countries and representatives of organizations, including with former US Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the main proponent of the Our Ocean Conference during its conceptualization 2014, to discuss the offshore wind energy industry in the Philippines; and Canada Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Annette Gibbons, to discuss issues on IUU fishing and Dark Vessel Detection, and explore possible capacity-building and knowledge exchange for Filipino scientists and ocean environment managers. 

The 10th Our Oceans Conference in Busan complements the upcoming UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France in June 2025. As maritime nations, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea stand as strategic partners bound by our shared values and mutual commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. Our active maritime cooperation is a key facet of our long-standing and dynamic strategic partnership. END