On the eve of the 9th Anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro underscored its enduring significance at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Secretary Lazaro firmly reiterated that the Award, alongside the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), remains a cornerstone of the Philippine Maritime Policy.
Addressing the forum, Secretary Lazaro emphasized, “The Arbitration and its Award are shining affirmations of the compulsory dispute resolution mechanisms of UNCLOS. It is already an unassailable part of the corpus of international law and has been cited by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in their advisory opinion on climate change last year, as well as by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in their ruling on the Gabon vs. Equatorial Guinea case on sovereignty and maritime delimitations earlier this year.”
The Secretary further highlighted that the Award serves not only to establish reason and right in the South China Sea but also provides crucial guidance on how maritime matters and concerns in the region should be addressed. It stands as a powerful reminder to the global community that all nations, irrespective of their size, might, or capacity, must uphold their duties and obligations, especially under UNCLOS, including compliance with rulings issued by its legitimate tribunals and bodies.
Secretary Lazaro reiterated the Award’s declaration that UNCLOS supersedes any historic right or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the limits imposed by the Convention. She stressed that any claim to historic right, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction in areas contrary to UNCLOS is without lawful effect insofar as they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of a country’s entitlement under the Convention.
The Philippines continues to advocate for a rules-based international order, with the 2016 Arbitral Award serving as a beacon for peaceful resolution and adherence to international law in maritime disputes.
