MANILA 25 September 2025 – On this World Maritime Day, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Republic of the Philippines embraces the future of our oceans and supports the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) global theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”

The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to World Maritime Day and its forward-looking spirit, especially as we move to pioneer, with resolve and optimism, a new era of stewardship for the seas that connect and sustain our world.

This year’s theme presents a historic opportunity. The DFA is committed to diplomacy and international cooperation that supports a sustainable blue economy and positions the Philippines at the forefront of this global shift. We call upon all stakeholders—from ship owners and operators to port authorities and energy innovators—to collaborate in building a maritime sector that is both economically vibrant and environmentally responsible.

The DFA celebrates our Filipino seafarers, not only as the lifeblood of the global fleet, but as crucial navigators of the maritime industry’s green and digital transition. Their resilience and adaptability are central to harnessing the immense opportunities that lie on the horizon. The DFA will continue to advocate tirelessly for the rights, safety and security of all mariners against peril in the high seas. We are dedicated to advancing policies that empower our seafarers with the next-generation skills required to command the sustainable, automated, and technologically advanced vessels of tomorrow in the context of new fuels, digitalization, and evolving operational realities.

Likewise, our obligation to our ocean is a sacred trust. Guided by multilateralism and international law, we continue with our call for consistent adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms that ensure not only navigational rights and duties, but also the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The DFA will continue to actively engage with our international partners, including our fellow member States at the International Maritime Organization, to combat marine pollution, champion decarbonization in shipping, and preserve our precious marine ecosystems for future generations.

We call on the global community to work together to develop and deploy green shipping technologies, create sustainable supply chains, and ensure a just transition for all maritime professionals. Together, we must fulfill our collective obligation to the ocean and seize the opportunity to build a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous maritime future for all. END