Speaking at “Ocean Talk: Key Takeaways of the Philippines from the 2025 UN Ocean Conference” held on August 13 at the GSIS Financial Center, Legarda underscored the urgent need for decisive, united action to protect Philippine seas, which she called “the soul of our archipelago” and a lifeline for millions of Filipinos.

“Commitments, no matter how eloquently spoken in conference halls, must be made real in our barangays,” she stressed, said to translate international pledges into domestic policy and practice.

The senator reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to uphold maritime rights under UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, while urging unprecedented cooperation among government, science, business, and civil society.

“The Philippines has led and will continue to lead in ocean protection and climate action, but our most significant victories are yet to be won, if we dare to do more, together,” she said.

The symposium, organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with the Office of Senator Legarda, the Climate Change Commission, and GSIS, brought together Philippine delegates from the June UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

Among those present were Ambassador of France to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, DFA Undersecretary and incoming Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo Jose A. De Vega, and Climate Change Commission Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert EA Borje.

A panel discussion followed, with experts from DFA’s Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Management Bureau, the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Sulubaai Environmental Foundation, and the High Seas Alliance.

They stressed the urgency of ratifying the BBNJ Agreement and turning policy commitments into measurable outcomes for ocean science, governance, and marine protection.

Ocean Talk reaffirmed the Philippines’ leadership in ocean and climate diplomacy, highlighting the country’s unique cultural, ecological, and geopolitical ties to the seas.

The JICA team is composed of specialists in climate mitigation and adaptation, greenhouse gas accounting, risk assessment, climate finance, and capacity building.

The group is led by Yoshihiro Mizuno, with sub-team leader Shigezane Kidoura, technical expert Tetsuya Yoshida, and project coordinator Mari Yasuda. They will work alongside Climate Change Commission (CCC) officials to craft solutions that balance international best practices with the Philippine context.

Over the next two years, the initiative, formally called the Climate Change Advisor in the Philippines, will focus on two key areas: boosting the CCC’s institutional and technical capabilities, and developing a stronger Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system to track the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The first group of JICA experts has begun work by finalizing the cooperation activity’s plan in close coordination with CCC leaders and senior officials. Together, they will assess current systems, identify gaps, and co-develop strategies to improve organizational structures and climate monitoring processes.

Training workshops and knowledge exchange activities are also part of the program to ensure that reforms are embedded in day-to-day operations.

The collaboration also extends to academic development. Through JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Program, CCC Legal Services Division Chief Atty. Carlos M. Borja Jr. will pursue a master’s degree at Kyushu University in Japan from 2025–2027, focusing on refining the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and strengthening climate governance. He is the first Filipino to join JICA’s Climate Change Policy track.

This cooperation complements JICA’s broader climate initiatives in the Philippines, which include the Climate Change Action Program with the Department of Finance, a hydropower resource inventory with the Department of Energy, and planned projects with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on sustainability and forest monitoring.

With the Philippines among the world’s most vulnerable nations to climate change, both JICA and CCC underscored that stronger systems and institutions are vital to meeting the country’s climate commitments and protecting its communities.

Starting in April 2025, Borja will pursue a Master of Laws in Comparative Studies of Politics and Administration in Asia at Kyushu University in Japan, according to a media release from JICA.

Borja’s focus on climate governance aims to make a lasting impact on the Philippines’ climate policies. His studies will sharpen his expertise in climate policy development and international best practices, empowering him to contribute to the updating of the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The NDC, a crucial component of the Paris Agreement, outlines the country’s climate action targets and commitments.

“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of translating international climate frameworks into effective national policies. This opportunity to study in Japan will enhance my analytical capabilities, broaden my global perspective, and equip me with practical strategies to address climate change effectively,” Borja shared.

The two-year program will allow Borja to immerse himself in Japan’s environmental governance and community-based environmental stewardship practices, offering valuable insights to implement in the Philippines. His goal is to craft policies that are not only aligned with global climate goals but also practical and effective for the local context.

JICA’s Climate Change Policy Program is designed to help developing countries like the Philippines build human resources capable of shaping climate policies that adhere to the Paris Agreement. Through its scholarship and training programs, JICA supports climate-related initiatives, including disaster risk reduction and sustainable transport. The agency’s development work also extends to forest monitoring, climate advisory, and strengthening transparency frameworks in climate action.

As Borja embarks on his academic journey, he envisions a future where the Philippines leads in climate action, with policies that foster collaboration across sectors and continuously strengthen the nation’s global position in climate governance.

JICA, the world’s largest bilateral aid agency, is actively contributing to global and national climate action through its comprehensive development work, including technical cooperation, ODA loans, and disaster relief programs.