Philippines hosts regional blue carbon learning exchange with Indonesia, Viet Nam

Iloilo City – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
through the Philippines National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP), convened a regional
NBCAP Learning Exchange Visit from 24 to 27 February 2026, bringing together representatives
from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam NBCAPs, alongside partners from government,
local government units, academe, civil society, and the private sector.

Held in Iloilo City and selected mangrove sites in Western Visayas, the four-day exchange served
as a platform for participating countries and stakeholders to share policies, programs, and good
practices on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems,
including mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes.

“Blue carbon conservation is not solely about programs, but about partnership. It is about ensuring
that science informs policy, that community stewardship strengthens national action, and that
regional cooperation contributes to global climate ambition,” said DENR – Biodiversity
Management Bureau Assistant Director Mariglo Laririt.

“The learning exchange bringing together NBCAP government partners and Secretariats
highlights the strong momentum of these country-led, multistakeholder collaborations. Convening
the NBCAPs and partners in one room is an invaluable space for regional dialogue to share
experiences, advance best practices, and drive innovative approaches to implementation for the
benefit of people, nature, and climate,” added Emily Kelly of the World Economic Forum.

Organized by the Philippines NBCAP, in partnership with the World Economic Forum and funded
by the UK COAST Programme under the Blue Planet Fund, the activity convened national
government agencies, local government leaders, community representatives, academe,
development partners, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration on nature-based
climate solutions and coastal resilience.

Discussions during the opening sessions highlighted national blue carbon priorities, governance
frameworks, and opportunities for regional collaboration to scale up ecosystem protection and
climate action across the three NBCAP countries.

Delegates visited mangrove conservation and restoration sites in Ajuy and Leganes, Iloilo, and
Ibajay, Aklan, where local government units and community partners showcased ongoing
initiatives on mangrove protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable coastal management. The field visits enabled participants to engage directly with local stakeholders and observe community-led
and science-based approaches to ecosystem conservation.

The exchange underscored the shared commitment of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam
NBCAPs and their partners to advancing blue carbon initiatives through whole-of-government and
multi-stakeholder approaches. Participating countries identified opportunities for sustained
collaboration, technical cooperation, and knowledge sharing to further strengthen blue carbon
conservation and restoration efforts across the region.

“Indonesia and the Philippines share similar coastal characteristics, development challenges, and
opportunities. Therefore, this platform is both timely and strategic for strengthening regional
cooperation and collective leadership in blue carbon governance,” said Aditya Rizki Pramudita,
Coordinator of Indonesia’s Ministry of Food Affairs.

“Viet Nam is proud to be the third country in the world to establish an NBCAP, joining Indonesia
and the Philippines in demonstrating global leadership in blue carbon ecosystem conservation and
restoration. The regional learning event in Iloilo comes at a timely moment as we are formulating
our strategy and action plan for the implementation of NBCAP,” shared Mr. Tran Tuan Viet, Official of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of
Viet Nam. “It provides a valuable platform for peer learning, knowledge exchange, and
strengthening regional cooperation toward a shared vision for sustainable blue carbon
development.”

The NBCAP is a country-led, multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government, civil
society, development partners, academe, and the private sector to support the conservation and
sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems while contributing to global climate and
biodiversity goals.