Philippines Holds First Maritime Dialogue with Australia
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce (left) and First Assistant Secretary Craig Chittick of the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (right) successfully close the first Philippines-Australia Maritime Dialogue held virtually on 10 June 2021 as part of the overall commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Philippines and Australia established diplomatic ties on 22 May 1946. (DFA photo)
PASAY CITY 18 June 2021 – The Philippines, led by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce, and Australia, led by US and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade First Assistant Secretary Craig Chittick, held the inaugural Maritime Dialogue on 10 June 2021.
The Philippines expressed appreciation for Australia’s consistency in calling for full compliance with The Award on the South China Sea Arbitration, being one of the first countries to do so as early as July 2016, and most recently in response to submissions made to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in December 2019.
In terms of marine science diplomacy, Australia agreed to partner with the Philippines under its maritime resource initiative which covers marine spatial planning, protection of coral reefs, fisheries management, and the joint conduct of marine scientific research.
Both countries also exchanged views and perspectives on the evolution of the Indo-Pacific region, the growing cooperation with partners and allies like the United States and European countries, as well as existing and emerging concerns in the maritime domain; and committed to sustain this new mechanism for dialogue as a venue for exchanging views but more importantly in expanding the scope of maritime cooperation and in further strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. END
The Philippine delegation, numbering 39 members, joins the 19 members of the Australian delegation for the inaugural Maritime Dialogue, held online, on 10 June 2021. The Philippine delegation was composed of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, and the Philippine Coast Guard. (DFA photo)