Philippines Continues Talks with Indonesia on Continental Shelf Delimitation

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela Ponce (2nd from right) and KEMLU Director of Legal Affairs and Territorial Treaties Andreano Erwin (2nd from left) sign the Records of Discussion of the First Special Meeting of the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns on the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf Boundary, (DFA-MOAO photo)

BALI 06-07 July 2022 – The Philippines and Indonesia laid the groundwork for the delimitation of their continental shelf boundary in the Celebes Sea, a declared priority for both countries during the  the First Special Meeting of the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns on the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf Boundary on 06-07 July 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting pinned down the area and modalities for delimitation and other technical matters.

The talks build on the countries’ successful delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zone boundary in 2014. The maritime boundary delimitation between the world’s two largest archipelagic States is a significant state practice on delimitation and contributes to the development of international law, particularly the law of the sea.

Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs led the Philippine delegation, while Director Andreano Erwin of the Legal Affairs and Territorial Treaties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Indonesian delegation. They also discussed other maritime-related issues of common concern.

The Philippines will host the Second Special Meeting of the JPWG-MOC in Manila next year. END