UNGA adopts PH-led resolution on 125th anniversary of PCA

Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Malaya. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution inviting all member states to commemorate and affirm the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, acting president of the administrative council of the PCA, said the Philippines spearheaded the resolution with core group members Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, and Thailand.

The resolution, dated July 21 but was only released to the public Wednesday, invites member states and organizations of the UN system to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the PCA through appropriate activities funded through voluntary contributions.

It also contains the following key points:

• [It] encourages member states that have not yet done so to accede to the Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes of 1899 and 1907.
• [It] encourages member states to use the PCA’s services, consistent with international law, in arbitration, conciliation, mediation, commissions of inquiry, and other peaceful means of dispute resolution.
• [It] requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of member states, the organizations of the United Nations system, and all stakeholders

“[The resolution] was adopted by consensus, with 122 co-sponsors in total, including six from the floor,” said Malaya in a Facebook post.

In a separate statement on Wednesday night, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the adoption of this resolution.

“This is yet another contribution of the Philippines to upholding the rule of law in preserving and maintaining international order and reflects our deep and unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes,” said Manalo.

“The consensus adoption of the resolution shows that countries do see the merit of upholding the rule of international law and credible dispute settlement mechanisms like the PCA — to deal with their differences through diplomacy, peacefully, and not by force or intimidation,” said Manalo.

PCA was established by treaty in 1899. It is an intergovernmental organization providing various dispute-resolution services to the international community.

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