The year 2025 will be a “blue year” for the Philippines and France as they build on the momentum of their relations and work together for the conservation of the oceans, seas, and marine resources in a high-level conference in June, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said.
(Screenshot from French Amb. Marie Fontanel's video message)
The envoy posted a New Year’s video greeting on X (formerly Twitter), wherein she talked about the two countries’ milestones in 2024 and what’s in store for 2025.
“In 2025, we are obviously going to build on the momentum: 2025 will be a blue year, because we are preparing the United Nations Conference on the Oceans, which will take place in Nice in June 2025,” she said.
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, which will be hostes by France in Nice from June 9 to 13, “aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
This year, the overarching theme of the conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”
“Here in the Philippines, we have also launched an action program called Blue Nations, with France and the Philippines as partners for the oceans,” Fontanel shared.
The ambassador, who sent her “best wishes” of “health, happiness, and personal and professional endeavors,” also shared some of the achievements of the two countries last year.
Aside from the inauguration of the French Embassy in Manila’s new offices, the visit of the Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs also marked the start of the first direct Air France flight from Paris to Manila.
“It was obviously a major step forward for us in 2024 on the road strengthening our bilateral relationship,” Fontanel said.
The Philippines also welcomed the “many stopovers” of French naval and air vessels in July and fans of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games watched the event at the Alliance Francaise.
“So, I’d like to wish you once again a very happy 2025, a very happy blue year, and I look forward to seeing you again in the coming weeks,” the ambassador added.