PH Welcomed as 48th Member State of Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization
Heads of Country Delegations at the 58th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) with Guest of Honor Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan (seated, fourth from left). (DFA photo)
TANZANIA 28 November 2019 – The Republic of the Philippines was welcomed as the 48th Member State of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) at its 58th Annual Session in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on 21 to 25 October 2019.
The Philippines formally joined the organization on 27 July 2019 and was acknowledged and welcomed by AALCO officials and members during the plenary of the Annual Session.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration and Head of the Philippine Delegation J. Eduardo Malaya stated that the Philippines’ engagement with AALCO is in line with the Philippine Government’s pursuit of a truly independent foreign policy. “For international law to reflect the values of the Asian and African regions, the people of the two regions should be proactively involved in its formulation and development,” he added.
Undersecretary Malaya underscored the country’s commitment to international law which binds the community of nations and prevents anarchy in the global order. “At the national level, the rule of law is necessary in building and sustaining peace, in preventing conflict and in achieving national development goals as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The rule of law at the international level is the great equalizer among States, giving voice to all nations regardless of their political, economic or military stature.”
The conference discussions were focused on substantive international law issues, including the Law of the Sea, Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, International Law in Cyberspace and International Trade and Investment.
In attendance were Tanzanian Government officials led by Vice President Samia Suluhu, Foreign Minister Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Augustine Mahiga, and Chief Justice of Tanzania Ibrahim Hamis Juma, AALCO Secretary General Dr. Kennedy Gaston, outgoing AALCO President and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Judge Yuji Iwasawa of the International Court of Justice. Government legal counsels, solicitors-general, private lawyers and other legal professionals from all over Asia and Africa were likewise present.
Observer nations from outside Asia and Africa were also present during the Annual Session as well as representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations.
The AALCO was created in 1955 as a result of the Bandung Conference to advise newly independent member States on the nuances of international law. Today, AALCO has become a bridge for South-North dialogue on international law and works closely with the United Nations General Assembly, International Law Commission and other international organizations. END
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration J. Eduardo Malaya delivers the Philippine Country Statement entitled “The Philippines and AALCO Partnering for a Rules-Based Global Order at the Plenary Meeting of the 58th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO).” Looking on are AALCO Secretary General Dr. Kennedy Gaston (third from right), AALCO President Tanzania Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Augustine Mahiga (second from right) and AALCO Vice President Palestinian Minister for Justice Mohammed Shalaldeh (rightmost). (DFA photo)