GOVPH

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 10^th 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

Undersecretary Leones shared the Philippines’ plans and programs for the sustainable development of the country’s blue economy in the Plenary Session titled "Actions toward Creating an Innovative Framework for the Blue Economy." He also emphasized that sustainably harnessing the blue economy comes hand in hand with the protection and conservation of our biodiversity and natural resources.

Members of the delegation also 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” co-organized by the High Seas Alliance where DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs (MOAO) Louis Alferez represented the Philippines. He was joined by ROK Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-Hyun, HSA Director Rebecca Hubbard, and high-level representatives from the Governments of Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, European Union, France, Maldives, Palau, as well as the Natural Resources Defense Council, IUCN, RISE UP, CORI, Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative. 

Top, right: DFA Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez delivers his remarks at the side event titled "Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century" organized by the Stimson Center and Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Bottom: 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.

PH EMBASSY AND THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD FOUNDATION CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF PHL-ROK TIES THROUGH MAGSAYSAY LEGACY EVENTS

02 May 2025, Seoul - In celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in partnership with the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation (RMAF), successfully held a series of events highlighting shared values of leadership, service, and youth empowerment.

These initiatives brought together Korean Magsaysay laureates, youth advocates, community leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, and media to honor the enduring legacy of President Ramon Magsaysay and promote meaningful dialogue on contemporary challenges.

On 22 April 2025, the Embassy and RMAF delegates, led by former Foreign Affairs Secretary and RMAF Trustee Delia Domingo Albert, held the Magsaysay Legacy Exchange – South Korea: Leaders, NextGen, and Friendship Laureate Reunion at Lotte Hotel, Seoul. The event reconnected Korean Magsaysay laureates and brought together stakeholders to reflect on the values of courage, integrity, and service to the common good.

In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador. Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of the Ramon Magsaysay Award as a living legacy of principled leadership.

Ambassador Delia Albert shared with participants the unique and storied history of the Magsaysay Awards and how the Foundation hopes to connect the awards and the “greatness of spirit” of RMAF laureate with the youth

The program featured messages from notable Korean awardees and concluded with the unveiling of the RMAF Laureates’ Exhibit and the ceremonial turnover of the Greatness of Spirit book series to the Philippine Embassy and institutional partners.

In a related activity, the Embassy collaborated with RMAF, the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute (RMTLI), and the Blue Tree Foundation for a Youth Dialogue titled “Growing Together for a Better Asia: Promoting Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age” held at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Embassy on 23 April 2025. The dialogue tackled mental health challenges facing young people, especially in the context of digital transformation, cyberbullying, misinformation, and the growing digital divide.

RMAF President Susan Afan opened the forum by calling for greater inclusion, empathy, and multi-stakeholder support for youth mental wellness. A panel discussion moderated by RMTLI’s Simone Sales featured Kim Jong-ki (2019 Magsaysay Awardee), Joon Shin Amangan of the ASEAN Youth Network, and Jiho Kim of the Blue Tree Foundation, who shared perspectives on building resilience and holistic care systems. An open forum followed, where youth and educators discussed practical approaches to supporting mental health in schools and communities.

Chairman Min Byoung-chul of the Sunfull Foundation shared with the audience the importance of building inclusive support networks in Korea’s increasingly multicultural society.

The event concluded with former Secretary Delia Albert presenting the Ramon Magsaysay Children's Book Series to Mr. Kim Jong-ki. Mr. Kim’s story is among those included in the book series which promotes the inspiring stories of Magsaysay laureates as learning tools for future generations.

In honoring the legacy of the Magsaysay laureates, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing people-to-people connections and promoting the values of courage, compassion, and transformative leadership—empowering the next generation to carry forward a legacy that continues to inspire hope across borders. END

Magsaysay Legacy Exchange - South Korea: Leaders, NextGen, and Friendship Laureate Reunion

Youth Dialogue - Growing Together for a Better Asia: Promoting Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age

Philippine Book Donation Made to Namsan Library Under the Books as Bridges Program

27 April 2025, Seoul. In commemoration of Philippine National Literature Month, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul donated a set of books to the Namsan Public Library on 25 April 2025.

The donation, under the Embassy’s  “Books as Bridges” program consists of Korean-language versions of works by National Artist Nick Joaquin such as “The Women with Two Navels” and “Tales of the Tropical Gothic” and popular young Filipino author Mica de Leon’s best-selling contemporary romance “Love on the Second Read” all published by the HanseaYes24 Foundation. Other donated books include the Philippine Embassy in Seoul’s 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea relations commemorative publication “dáyo 이민자: Stories of Migration” and dual language children’s books in Filipino and English.

Namsan Library Director Mr. Go Young-gap and the Namsan Library team accepted the book donations from Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario in a simple ceremony at the library.

After the turnover, Director Go led the Philippine Embassy team through a tour of the library’s main facilities including its multicultural readings section and its digital publications center. Namsan Library is one of the largest public libraries in the Yongsan-gu area and is a popular reading center for both Koreans and international residents being located in a scenic spot near the iconic Namsan Trail and Tower.

The Philippine Embassy is scheduled to hold other book donation ceremonies under its “Books as Bridges” program with other Korean institutions for Philippine Independence Month in June. END