Partnerships for the National Marine 30x30 Target Project Year 1 (2023–2024): Laying the Groundwork of Science for Marine Conservation

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In its first year of implementation, the project laid critical groundwork to advance the Philippines’ 30x30 commitment by successfully conducting national workshops to review and update the country’s Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBA). These workshops brought together government agencies, technical experts, local stakeholders, and conservation partners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to build stronger consensus on areas of high biodiversity importance. 

The MKBA updating process established an important evidence base for national marine conservation planning. More than a series of technical consultations, the workshops set the stage for stronger biodiversity governance and climate action by connecting science, policy, and on-the-ground conservation needs. The partnerships and information gathered during this founding year continued to support the Philippine 30x30 Target in the years that followed.

1st National KBA Workshop, March 18-22, 2024 photo from Rare

2nd National KBA Workshop, October 18, 2024 photo from Haribon Foundation

3rd National KBA Workshop, March 24, 2025 photo from MERF

Acknowledgement:

This work is made possible through the support of Oceans 5 and its Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Bloomberg Arcadia Funding Initiative. Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.