Secretary Manalo Underlines Responsible Stewardship, Rule of Law at Launch of “Dialogue on Maritime Governance in the South China Sea”

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo gives his keynote speech at the Dialogue on Maritime Governance in the South China Sea. (OPCD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

MANILA 16 August 2023 — The highly anticipated "Dialogue on Maritime Governance in the South China Sea" commenced today with a keynote speech delivered by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo.

The event, co-organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines (KAS-PH) and the Foreign Service Institute Philippines (FSI), gathers distinguished scholars, experts, diplomats and other government officials to engage in thoughtful discussions on the intricate challenges of maritime governance in the South China Sea.

In his keynote address, Secretary Manalo described the profound importance of the South China Sea for the Indo-Pacific region and the world. Noted as the maritime heartland of Southeast Asia, the South China Sea serves as a crucial shipping hub, a rich source of marine biodiversity and energy, and an anchor of the blue economies of the future. Its significance further extends beyond economic benefits, encompassing longstanding cultural connections facilitated by historical maritime trade routes.

The Secretary underscored the need for responsible stewardship and commitment to peace and dialogue, particularly in the current strategic landscape where tensions and disputes persist within the region. 

“All of us must take it upon ourselves to exercise responsibility as stewards of this sea, and the life and positive connections it sustains. The use of force and threat of use of force, or acts of intimidation, by any party in the South China Sea, subvert the regime of collaboration and shared stewardship that is key to affirming this body of water as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity,” Secretary Manalo said.

The Secretary underscored the Philippines' unwavering support for a rules-based maritime order, anchored in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. He cited the Philippines’ active involvement in the negotiations for the UNCLOS and the Convention on the Biological Diversity as well as ongoing diplomatic investments in the future Treaty on the High Seas and in an effective and substantive Code of Conduct.

He expressed the Philippines’ firm conviction that rule of law ensures equity in the global commons, and a fair and just multilateral order.

The two-day dialogue's agenda covers a diverse range of subjects, including the impact of recent developments, the maritime policies of ASEAN member states, role of legislators in promoting rules-based governance, and potential areas of cooperation.

“It is an understatement that how we govern the myriad of challenges in South China Sea and resolve the disputes will have a defining influence on the future of this region. Through this dialogue, you will all be addressing profound questions that bear on the day-to-day lives of citizens of coastal states, as well as the conundrums of diplomacy of our day and age, and answer to the demands of common aspirations for a peaceful and stable region,” Secretary Manalo told the audience.

The Secretary thanked KAS-PH, FSI, and the more than 150 participants for their commitment to the Dialogue.

The "Dialogue on Maritime Governance in the South China Sea" continues through 17 August 2023 and will hear diverse perspectives on promoting regional peace, stability and development in the South China Sea. END

(From left) German Parliament Member (Christian Democratic Union) Roderich Kiesewetter, MdB, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines Country Director Daniela Braun, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, and Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Philippine Director-General Ma. Teresita C. Daza. (OPCD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)