The Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS), through the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture (AUN-EEC), partnered with the Philippine Society for Freshwater Science (PSFS) in organizing a hybrid forum in celebration for first-ever World Lake Day at Leong Hall Auditorium last 27 August 2025. The forum was attended by 200 combined on-site and online participants.

The hybrid forum featured two esteemed biodiversity specialists and limnologists, Dr Emmanuel Ryan De Chavez of the University of the Philippines Los Banos and Ms Adelina Santos-Borja of Southeast Asian Limnological Network and International Lake Environmental Committee Foundation. Dr De Chavez and Ms Santos-Borja opened the forum highlighting the diversity of and in lakes in the Philippines, and then proceeded to feature research works on threats to lake biodiversity. The recent years have witnessed the increasing number of invasive species, pests, and heavy metal pollution in lakes. 

With this, numerous meetings and fora were organized to push for the importance of sustainable lake management. Last December, the United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution instituting the celebration of World Lake Day, an observance which reflects a “commitment to science-based conservation, inclusive collaboration, and the pursuit of sustainable lake management”. The talks opened the discussion on possible next steps, such that the momentum will be carried on.

To celebrate this milestone of the first-ever World Lake Day, the hybrid forum was organized in conjunction with the 2025 AUN-EEC Conference on Ecological Education and Culture. This partnership signifies the deep commitment of involved groups for partnerships towards intersecting goals on climate change, biodiversity, and education. In line with the conference which centers on climate change education, the forum also stresses the importance of proper communication of biodiversity and conservation research to local communities.

The forum was graced by Dr Emmanuel D Delocado, AIS Director and PSFS Public Relations Officer, Dr Milette Mendoza-Pascual, Department of Environmental Science Chair and PSFS Vice President, Dr Rey Donne S Papa of the University of Santo Tomas, PSFS President, Dr Erica Silk Dela Paz of De La Salle University, and Ms Yves Cabillon of Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau.