The Philippines last week joined local and foreign partners in reaffirming the call to protect the world’s oceans that are essential to all life, by sustaining biodiversity, regulating the climate and generating oxygen.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) reiterated the call as more than 1,000 handcrafted solar lanterns illuminated Fort Santiago during the inauguration of the “Blue Lanterns” climate art installation on May 27, 2025.
Crafted by families, local cooperatives, volunteers, partners and youth, the lanterns were unveiled ahead of the 3rd UN Oceans Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.
The project reflects the shared commitment of France and the Philippines to advance ocean protection and climate action in the lead-up to the UNOC3, which will be co-chaired with Costa Rica and held in Nice this month.
“The Climate Change Commission stands solidly with the Philippines’ call to protect the world’s oceans. This installation here in Fort Santiago sends a clear message and challenge for all of us to preserve, protect and promote the lifeblood that is our oceans and to fortify our blue and green frontlines and frontiers,” says CCC executive director Robert E.A. Borje.
The initiative, led by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the Intramuros Administration and Liter of Light, symbolizes a collective commitment to marine protection, climate resilience, and community-led innovation.
The event also marked the culmination of the #100DaysMobilizationOcean campaign, which spotlighted grassroots innovation using renewable energy and circular economy practices. It forms part of the broader “Blue Nations: France and the Philippines, Partners for the Ocean” initiative launched in 2024.
The lighting ceremony followed the “OCEAN TALK: The 2015 Manila Call to Action” forum co-organized by the DFA, CCC, and partner organizations. The dialogue stressed the urgency of sustainable ocean management, climate resilience and community action in safeguarding marine ecosystems.
The climate art installation at Fort Santiago symbolized the Philippines’ steadfast commitment under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ocean conservation and climate action. It also served as an inspiring send-off for the Philippine delegation to the UNOC3 conference in Nice, France this June.
Oceans also have massive untapped economic potential that is capable of delivering food security, creating jobs and driving global trade.
“The amount of exports of ocean goods and services reached $2.2 trillion in 2023, so it’s growing very fast,” said David Vivas, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Chief for Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Branch, on the sidelines of the recent 5th UN Ocean Forum in Geneva.
According to the UN agency, the world’s ocean economies have grown 250 percent since 1995, far outpacing the global economy, which grew by 190 percent over the same period.
Behind this growth is growing South-South trade, where fresh fish exports have increased by 43 percent; processed fish exports have risen by a staggering 89 percent from 2021 to 2023.
Today, 600 million people are sustained by and therefore dependent on the fishing industry alone, most of them in developing countries.
According to UNCTAD, two thirds of species living in the ocean have yet to be identified, offering the potential for the discovery of new antibiotics, low-carbon foods and other bio-based materials, such as plastic substitutes, which provide a $10.8-billion market opportunity alone. CCC, UN News