DFA Partners with ANCORS and Australian Embassy on Masterclass on Maritime Security

PASAY CITY, 20 February 2023 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), led by the Office of Treaties of Legal Affairs (OTLA), in partnership with the Australian National Center for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) and the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, conducted the eighth installment of the Law of the Sea Course for government agencies from 13 to 16 February 2023.

A total of forty-nine (49) participants were selected to participate, twenty-five (25) of whom were from the DFA. The participants represented twelve (12) government agencies involved in maritime and ocean governance, as they are operational level personnel, headquarters personnel, and policy makers. This year’s course was a Masterclass, instead of the usual general Law of the Sea course, and it had more in-depth discussions on Maritime Security vis-a-vis the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international maritime and legal instruments. 

In her opening remarks, the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu, highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the Philippines and Australia in the field of capacity-building, and further emphasized shared interests in keeping the South China Sea as a vital waterway for the international community. 

The subject of Maritime Security cannot be more timely and relevant given the recent developments in the region. In the words of Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro during her welcome remarks, “An examination of the construct of and challenges to maritime security – both in the context of the Philippines and UNCLOS – is vital because our knowledge of maritime security law is an indispensable element in the protection of our maritime rights, and in the maintenance of order in our waters.”

The course was first conducted in 2018 and has been delivered since by ANCORS, led by its Director, Professor Stuart Kaye. For this batch, Professor Kaye was joined by ANCORS Associate Professor David Letts. This initiative has already generated around four hundred forty (440) participants, covering twenty-three (23) national government agencies. 

The Philippines and Australia have continuously shown, and remain committed to its partnership on capacity building, education, and professional development experiences. END