The Embassy of France to the Philippines and in Micronesia, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda, the Intramuros Administration, and Liter of Light, inaugurated the “Blue Lanterns” climate art installation on May 27 at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.
The event marked the culmination of the joint commitment of France and the Philippines—both maritime nations—to protect the oceans and address the challenges of climate change, in preparation for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be co-chaired with Costa Rica in Nice in June 2025. In June 2024, the French Embassy launched the “Blue Nations: France and the Philippines, Partners for the Ocean” initiative ahead of the conference.
On Feb. 26, 2025, the 10th anniversary of the Manila Call to Climate Action—a historic appeal launched on Feb. 26, 2015, by President Benigno Aquino III and French President François Hollande to mobilize international action for the Paris Climate Agreement at COP21—the French Embassy launched the “100 Days for the Ocean” campaign. The initiative, done in partnership with the NGO Liter of Light, aims to accelerate collective climate action.
The partnership with Liter of Light mobilized French and Filipino civil society, the private sector, students, and public institutions to create a giant climate-themed artwork made of more than 1,000 “Blue Lanterns,” which are solar lamps. The innovation of the project lies in the use of recycled, durable, and readily available materials to produce natural and safe lighting.
The final installation, a product of the commitment and collective mobilization of the Franco-Philippine community, was unveiled at Fort Santiago, in Intramuros—the historic heart of Manila and the twin city of Nice, host of the upcoming UNOC3. The location was symbolically chosen to highlight the historical and renewed bond between the two cities in support of ocean protection.
By erecting the installation in an iconic heritage site, France underscored the importance of preserving both cultural heritage and marine ecosystems for future generations. PR