Representatives from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands — from government, academe, and NGOs — gathered in Iloilo City for the Asia Regional Large-Scale MPA Workshop, organized by ZSL Philippines with the Blue Nature Alliance and Big Ocean, to share insights and advance science-based, community-driven marine conservation. Photo from ZSL Philippines.

The Zoological Society of London-Philippines (ZSL), in collaboration with the Blue Nature Alliance (Alliance), and regional partners from the government, academia, and non-governmental organizations recently convened in Iloilo City for the Asia Regional Large-Scale Marine Protected Area (LSMPA) Workshop, which was held as the world races to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss community-driven, science-based approaches to large-scale marine protection.

The two-day workshop brought together representatives from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands to discuss opportunities and challenges in ocean protection at scale, from policy gaps and governance issues to climate impacts, illegal fishing, and transboundary protection. It was co-hosted by Big Ocean, a peer-learning network created by and for managers of large-scale marine areas, with technical and financial support from the Alliance, a global partnership aiming to conserve 18 million square kilometers of ocean.

“With the highest nearshore marine biodiversity in the world, Asia has long been at the forefront of coastal protection,” said Laure Katz, Executive Director of the Alliance. Building on this leadership, the workshop addressed the urgency to extend marine protection to areas beyond 12 nautical miles through advancing science-policy-community interrelationships, preparing the foundations for an Asia Regional LSMPA Community of Practice, and developing a roadmap for large-scale marine protection.

Advancing Regional Collaboration in Conservation

The workshop underscores  ZSL Philippines’ leadership in science-based conservation and demonstrates how multi-sector, multi-country collaboration, supported by BNA, can accelerate progress toward the 30×30 target.

The Alliance believes that partnership is key to advancing ocean conservation. “The Blue Nature Alliance is working with over 130 partners globally to advance ocean conservation in 5% of the world’s ocean as a significant contribution to the global 30×30 goal,” said Katz.

Representatives from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands, including government officials, academics, and NGO members, gathered during the Asia Regional Large-Scale MPA Workshop at Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City to share insights and discuss science-based, community-driven strategies for large-scale marine conservation. Photo from ZSL Philippines.

Participants collectively agreed that the main pressures on Asia’s marine ecosystems are pollution and climate change, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, sea-level rise, and habitat destruction.

They also emphasized key recommendations, including aligning marine conservation with food security objectives, developing long-term and equitable financing mechanisms with government support, harmonizing ocean-related policies for easier adoption, and enhancing public participation in conservation. These efforts showcase Asia’s ingenuity in building a strong foundation for marine protection.

“The potential for Asia is huge. It can be a trailblazer, creating a ‘Big Ocean 2.0,’ leading the second wave of large-scale protection, and showing the world that fisheries, food security, and conservation can be addressed together,” said Naiʻa Lewis, Director of Big Ocean.

Philippine Rise: One of Asia’s Most Ambitious Conservation Efforts

The proposed Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area, implemented by ZSL, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Fisheries Management Area 1, and the Alliance, would span approximately 150,000 square kilometers or 7.5% of the Philippine waters, potentially making it Asia’s largest single marine protected area  protecting biodiversity while supporting long-term food security.

During the Asia Regional Large-Scale MPA Workshop held at Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City, Edwina Garchitorena, Country Director of ZSL Philippines, emphasized the shift toward large-scale marine protected areas, acknowledging the challenges from community understanding to governance alignment while committing to achieving meaningful impact. Photo from ZSL Philippines.

“The thinking around marine protected areas has long been at a much smaller scale,” said Edwina Garchitorena, Country Director of ZSL Philippines. “We know the challenges remain—from community understanding to governance alignment—but we also know the impact will be there. We are committed to helping make this shift happen.”

“The movement for large-scale protection with comprehensive solutions both nearshore and offshore has started in Asia with governments, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia, taking bold steps in turning commitments into action,” added Katz.

Toward a Collective Path for Ocean Protection

The workshop demonstrated that, when based on science, policy, community involvement, and international cooperation, large-scale marine protection is becoming more and more possible. According to Katz, “the Asia Regional LSMPA Workshop is the beginning of a meaningful journey to inspire bold action for marine protection for the benefit of people and nature.”

In order to accomplish the worldwide 30×30 ocean preservation target, ZSL will continue to advance initiatives to enhance large-scale marine governance and organize collective action in collaboration with the Alliance, Big Ocean, and regional partners.

With a robust service pipeline and a renewed emphasis on innovation, integration, and nationwide connectivity, 2GO, the nation’s top logistics solutions provider, approaches 2026. In order to assist companies and customers in a market that is still growing, the company is stepping up its efforts in the areas of freight, rapid delivery, marine travel, and digital fulfillment.

Increased domestic consumption, improved infrastructure, and internet commerce have all contributed to the strong expansion of the Philippine logistics business. The logistics sector reached an estimated USD 55.65 billion in 2024, and as investments in digital services and transportation networks increase, it is expected to rise at a rate of almost 6% per year until 2030.

Online commerce is becoming a major force shaping logistics demand. The Philippines e-commerce sector is expected to surpass USD 28 billion in 2025 with strong double-digit annual growth as more consumers shop online and sellers scale digitally. These trends are driving significant need for reliable fulfilment, tracking, and delivery services across the country’s thousands of islands.

“Our outlook for 2026 is anchored on building smarter and more responsive logistics solutions that support economic activity where it matters most,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of 2GO Group Inc. “As the Philippine economy grows, logistics becomes even more essential. Our role is to ensure goods, services, and people move reliably and efficiently across the country.”

Strengthening logistics to support growth

E-commerce remains a key growth driver for logistics in the Philippines. In response, 2GO continues to expand its express and e-commerce fulfilment capabilities with nationwide pickup, sorting, and last-mile delivery supported by digital tracking and integrated platforms. These services help businesses of all sizes reach customers faster and with greater confidence.

Beyond last-mile delivery, 2GO’s freight forwarding and special container solutions support industries with secure, temperature-controlled, and customized cargo handling requirements. These services are vital for manufacturers, agribusinesses, and exporters navigating both inter-island and international trade flows.

2GO’s sea-based logistics and ROPAX operations further strengthen its multimodal capabilities. Through sea travel and rolling cargo services, the company connects major and secondary ports, enabling the movement of passengers alongside essential goods. Recent investments in port infrastructure, including expanded passenger terminals, support stronger connectivity between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and reflect the continued growth of inter-island mobility and commerce.

Integrated solutions for a dynamic market

As customer expectations evolve, 2GO continues to deliver integrated logistics solutions that unite land, air and sea into a connected and visible supply chain. Investments in operational efficiency, asset utilization, and customer-focused services are central to the company’s strategy for 2026.

“Growth today requires flexibility and integration,” DyBuncio added. “Our priority is to make logistics simpler for our customers by offering solutions that are reliable, scalable, and aligned with their specific needs, whether they are SMEs, large enterprises, or online sellers.”

Contributing to national development

Logistics remains a critical driver of economic resilience and inclusive growth in the Philippines. By improving seamless cargo movement, reducing handovers through point-to-point logistics solutions, and strengthening inter-island connectivity, 2GO helps keep trade costs reasonable and expands market access for businesses nationwide.

As the business approaches 2026, 2GO reiterates its dedication to bolstering the nation’s economic development through dependable logistics, ongoing service enhancement, and investments that promote commerce and mobility.

“With the right infrastructure, partnerships, and people, logistics becomes a catalyst for national progress,” DyBuncio said. “That is the role 2GO will continue to play in the years ahead.”

Go to www.2go.com.ph to find out more about 2GO and its offerings.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.