Secretary Lazaro Underscores Importance of 2016 Arbitral Award at 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum

KUALA LUMPUR 11 July 2025 - On the eve of the 9th Year Anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro took the opportunity at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to reaffirm that the Award remains a cornerstone of the Philippine Maritime Policy, along with the 1982 UNCLOS.

According to the Secretary, “The Arbitration and its Award are shining affirmations of the compulsory dispute resolution mechanisms of UNCLOS. It is already an unassailable part of the corpus of international law and has been cited by the International Tribunal in the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in their advisory opinion on climate change last year, as well as by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in their ruling on the Gabon vs. Equatorial Guinea case on sovereignty and maritime delimitations earlier this year.”

Furthermore, the Secretary highlighted that the Award not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is a guide on how maritime matters and concerns in the region ought to be addressed. It is a telling reminder to the world that all countries, regardless of size, might or capacity must meet their duties and obligations, especially under UNCLOS, including compliance with rulings by its legitimate tribunals and bodies.

Secretary Lazaro reiterated that the Award declared that the UNCLOS superseded any historic right or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction in excess of the limits imposed by the Convention. This claim to historic right, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction in areas that are contrary to UNCLOS is without lawful effect insofar as they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of the country’s entitlement under the Convention. END