Legarda Leads the Philippines’ Push for Ocean Protection Ahead of UN Conference

A decade after the historic Manila Call to Action on Climate Change, Senator Loren Legarda remains at the forefront of global climate action—this time, with an urgent call to protect the world’s oceans.

As the Philippines prepares for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Legarda is pushing for stronger commitments on marine biodiversity conservation, blue carbon ecosystems, and climate-resilient ocean governance.

“With just 100 days before the UN Ocean Conference, we must move beyond pledges and into action,” Legarda declared. “We cannot politely request change—we must demand it. Demand that governments, industries, and institutions take bold, irreversible steps to protect our oceans. Demand that we turn rhetoric into results.”

Legarda, alongside French Ambassador H.E. Marie Fontanel, led the launch of “100 Days for the Ocean,” a mobilization campaign under the Blue Nations Initiative, which unites the Philippines and France in amplifying global ocean advocacy.

The four-term senator has been at the forefront of key legislative and diplomatic efforts to protect marine ecosystems. She has championed the Philippines’ participation in the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People and the Global Ocean Alliance, committing to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.

Recognizing the need for concrete action, Legarda funded activities leading up to the UN Ocean Conference in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC). She also underscored the importance of passing the Blue Economy Bill, which she principally authored and sponsored, now in its final stages of legislative deliberation.

Despite progress over the past decade, Legarda expressed frustration at the slow pace of global action.

“Last year, for the first time, the Earth’s temperature breached the 1.5°C threshold—crossing the very line we fought to avoid,” she warned. “For us in the Philippines, this is not an abstract statistic. Every fraction of a degree warmer brings more devastating typhoons, rising sea levels swallowing our coastlines, and extreme weather events upending lives and livelihoods. We are no longer talking about projections. We are living the consequences of inaction.”

Legarda emphasized that the fight for ocean protection is a fight for survival, not just for the Philippines but for all nations.

“A decade ago, we called for climate action, climate solidarity, and climate justice. Today, we raise a demand. For our oceans. For our climate. For future generations who will either suffer from our inaction or thrive because of our courage.”

Legarda first championed global climate action when she co-led the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change alongside French actress and climate advocate Marion Cotillard, a declaration endorsed by then-Presidents Benigno Aquino III and François Hollande. As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on the Paris Agreement, she championed the Philippines’ ratification of the treaty, which entered into force on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

As the UN Ocean Conference nears, Legarda is making it clear: the time for waiting has long passed. Now is the time to act. (30)