PH, US reaffirm Unclos ideals

(UPDATE) THE Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and supporting a rules-based international order as a way to address the region's complex and evolving maritime challenges. The reaffirmation was made during the 3rd Philippines-US Maritime Dialogue, held in Manila on Thursday, October 24, which reviewed existing maritime engagements and explored new collaborative approaches in the maritime domain. The Unclos, adopted in 1982, establishes a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans and seas, establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. It embodies traditional rules for using the oceans in one instrument while introducing new legal concepts and regimes and addressing new concerns. The convention also provides the framework for further development of specific areas of the law of the sea. Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) and Deputy Assistant Secretary Mahlet Mesfin of the US State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) co-chaired the meeting. In a statement posted on its official X platform account, the DFA said comprehensive and substantive discussions revolved around maritime law enforcement, especially information sharing, capacity building, joint operations and the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard. The meeting touched on joint efforts to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the region and continued collaboration on marine environmental conservation and scientific affairs (OES). The two also exchanged information on improving maritime policy coordination, including in legislation and international ocean governance. They also exchanged views on recent developments in the South China Sea and how to effectively address the various challenges while promoting peace and stability in the region. In his opening remarks, Alferez said "this dialogue is a testament to the strength of [the] alliance and [the] shared commitment to uphold a free, open and secure maritime environment." This third iteration of the dialogue builds upon the robust partnership emphasized in the recent 4th PH-US 2+2. A ministerial dialogue was held last July in Manila, where both countries highlighted the importance of maritime security and maritime cooperation as pillars of the alliance. The 4th Philippines-US Maritime Dialogue will be hosted by the United States in 2025. In a related development, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro thanked the European Union and its member states for their unwavering support of the Philippines in promoting the rule of law and a rules-based international order. On Wednesday, October 23, the undersecretary had an open and candid dialogue with the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) ambassadors in Brussels. The PSC chairman, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, reaffirmed, on behalf of the committee members, the EU's commitment to the principles of freedom of navigation and the Unclos and said these principles are fundamental to the EU's core values and economic interests. The meeting discussed boosting sectoral cooperation between the Philippines and the EU. They also investigated ways for the EU to support the Philippines in its strategic goals and agreed that security, trade and climate action could be areas of further cooperation. The EU PSC, consisting of ambassadors representing 27 EU-member states and the European External Action Service (EEAS), regularly meets with a visiting high-level guest to hear firsthand their view on the country's key priorities. This was the first time the Philippines had been invited to the meeting.