EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PHILIPPINES JOINS CALL FOR OCEAN ACTION AT 10TH OUR OCEANS CONFERENCE


Top: Undersecretary for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Atty. Jonas Leones led the Philippine delegation. Below: The Philippine delegation to the OOC brought senior-level members of our national agencies together to discuss marine issues. 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.

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

Other News


July 01, 2025
PH EMBASSY COMMEMORATES RIZAL’S 164th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

19 June 2025, Seoul – In celebration of the 164h Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine Embassy in collaboration with the Knights of Rizal (KOR) – Korea Chapter held a solemn wreath-laying at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Philippine Embassy. 

Read More
June 28, 2025
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CELEBRATES 127TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A FUSION OF FLAVORS, REAFFIRMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

SEOUL, 23 JUNE 2025 — Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega hosted a diplomatic reception on 23 June 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul in celebration of the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence and 76 years of Philippines-Korea relations.

Read More
June 26, 2025
THE PHILIPPINES AND GGGI SIGN FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR CORE CONTRIBUTION TO ADVANCE GREEN GROWTH

9 June 2025, Seoul, South Korea - The Philippines and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Funding Agreement, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing green growth. The Funding Agreement was signed by H.E. Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Republic of Korea, and GGGI Director-General, Sang-Hyup Kim. Under this agreement, the Republic of the Philippines will provide a core contribution to GGGI in 2025.

Read More