PH and US Launch Inaugural Maritime Dialogue
DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela Ponce (center right) and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jung Pak (center left) lead discussions in the inaugural Philippines- U.S. Maritime Dialogue.
MANILA 22 April 2022 — The Philippines and the United States successfully launched their inaugural Maritime Dialogue on 20 April 2022 in Manila.
The Dialogue, led by Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela Ponce and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jung Pak, highlighted the successes of ongoing cooperative efforts and discussed ways for the two sides to cooperatively address current challenges and shared maritime concerns, especially in the South China Sea.
The Dialogue was established by the 9th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue held on 15-16 November 2021 in Washington DC, US, as reflected in the Joint Vision Statement.
“It is no coincidence that this Maritime Dialogue was agreed upon during the 75th anniversary of our bilateral relations. These are not new roots we are planting, just new shoots to the trunk of this old tree that is the abiding alliance between the Philippines and the United States, that will grow to define and articulate the deepening maritime relations”, said Assistant Secretary Ponce.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Pak said the Dialogue allowed for a wide-ranging exchange, offering officials a greater understanding of shared priorities.
“Demonstrating our enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and our collaboration with our allies and partners will help us to achieve a free and open, interconnected, prosperous, resilient, and secure region for all,” said Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava of the US Embassy in the Philippines.
The delegations underscored their shared interest in a strengthened rules-based order in the South China Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS and the 2016 Award on the South China Sea arbitration.
The Dialogue also discussed challenges to Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction; the growing sophistication of transnational crime; and countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF). In particular, it was noted that IUUF destroys marine habitats, depletes fish stocks, and threatens food and maritime security.
Other topics discussed were environmental conservation, including marine plastic pollution, climate action, and marine scientific research.
Participants included representatives from the defense, security, fisheries, environment, and law enforcement agencies of both sides.
The Philippines and the US look forward to holding the Maritime Dialogue annually. END