Asean, others see Unclos’ relevance

The 1st Expanded Asean Maritime Forum (EAMF) ended on Friday in Manila with delegates recognizing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and two regional treaties as the “rules-based” framework for resolving conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Laura Basilio, who chaired the forum, said the delegates expressed continuing hope for the adoption of a regional Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea to resolve territorial disputes.

Code of Conduct

Aside from citing the UN’s law of the sea, the delegates highlighted  regional agreements such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as frameworks for an eventual  regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea ,” Basilio said.

The EAMF was attended by delegates from various governments and nongovernment groups from the East Asian Summit, which includes China, Japan, Australia,  India, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, the United States and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Amid tensions

The forum was held amid heightened tensions between China and Japan and between China and several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, over island disputes.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Koji Tsuruoka, the keynote speaker, stressed “the need to establish maritime order depending on characteristics of each region and  in accordance with relevant international law,” according to Basilio.

The delegates also tackled areas of cooperation on maritime issues such as maritime connectivity and capacity building, infrastructure and equipment upgrading, seafarer training, protecting the marine environment, promoting ecotourism and fishery regimes.

The EAMF was convened in line with Asean principles of encouraging dialogue to address common maritime challenges.