Philippines Hosts Regional Seminar to Highlight Urgent Need for Transparency and Cooperation to Address Ballistic Missile Proliferation in Asia

MANILA 22 January 2025 – The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, in partnership with the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), is hosting a two-day regional seminar on “Ballistic Missile Developments in Asia: Reducing Risk Through Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)” on 22-23 January 2025 in Manila.

The seminar brings together representatives from Indo-Pacific countries, international organizations, and leading experts to address the pressing challenges posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles in Asia.  Discussions are framed within the context of the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC), a vital multilateral mechanism that fosters transparency and reduces risks associated with missile activities.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles C. Jose underscored the seminar's importance in addressing security challenges: “The threats posed by ballistic missile proliferation demand collective action and enhanced cooperation. This seminar serves as a platform to reaffirm the importance of the HCoC as a tool for transparency, pre-launch notifications, and confidence-building measures.”

Participants are expected to engage in discussions on critical issues, including recent developments in missile proliferation in the Asia-Pacific region, the significance of pre-launch notifications and annual declarations under the HCoC, and the need to strengthen regional cooperation to mitigate risks and build trust.

The Philippines, as the first ASEAN Member State to subscribe to the HCoC and having served as Chair of the Subscribing States for two consecutive years, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a rules-based international order and advancing non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.

“As a country that ratified nearly all major humanitarian disarmament treaties and endorsed recent key initiatives, such as the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, the Philippines is deeply committed to advancing the global humanitarian disarmament agenda,” emphasized Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for United Nations and International Organizations Maria Teresa T. Almojuela.

This regional seminar marks the first in a series of workshops on disarmament and non-proliferation to be hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, reflecting the Philippines’ dedication to fostering international peace, security, and cooperation through a rules-based international order. END