PH Chairs PCA Administrative Council Meeting on Preparations for its 125thAnniversary
From left to right: Deputy Secretary-General Garth Schofield, Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak, Deputy Secretary-General Martin Doe, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, First Secretary and Consul Atty. Jarie Osias and First Secretary and Consul Atty. Irish Kay Kalaw-Ado. (The Hague PE photo)
THE HAGUE, 24 April 2023 – The Philippine presidency of the Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration successfully steered the Council’s Meeting on 19 April 2023 towards the adoption of a resolution which lays the groundwork for the preparations of the 125th anniversary of the international organization in 2024.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, President of the Administrative Council for term 2023 to 2024, chaired the Council’s 209th meeting at the Peace Palace, The Hague.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Malaya said that the 125th anniversary will be a remarkable milestone and a testament to the exemplary achievements and contributions of the PCA throughout its illustrious history. “The coming months would be an auspicious occasion for us to reflect on the PCA’s achievements and to ponder on how it can remain a dynamic, relevant and inclusive institution in the cause for justice and peace through law,” Malaya said.
The Council Resolution mandated the PCA International Bureau to prepare and plan, in coordination with a special working group of Members of the Administrative Council, for purposes of coming up with meaningful and cost-effective commemorative activities.
PCA Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak remarked that the “PCA will continue to play a vital role in shaping the global legal landscape. The adopted resolution will set the stage for commemorative activities that will give a new momentum for the future. We are all here to remember the past, celebrate the present and the pave the way for a better future.”
As such, the Resolution further requested the International Bureau to constitute a volunteer special panel of experts for the 125th anniversary of the PCA, to be composed of individuals with expertise in international law and dispute resolution, to report on the workings of the PCA with recommendations towards the future.
The Resolution further encourages States that have yet to accede to the PCA founding conventions, the 1899 and 1907 Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, to do so with a view to achieving universal membership of the Conventions.
After the meeting, Secretary-General Czepelak tweeted “It is a very important resolution as we are heading 125thanniversary of @PCA_CPA. Thank you @malaya_ed & @PHinTheHague for bringing us to this successful outcome! Many thanks to all Members of the Administrative Council.”
Composed of 122 Contracting Parties, the PCA is the first permanent inter-governmental organization providing a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means. The Administrative Council provides general guidance on the work and general direction of the PCA, and supervises its administration, budget and expenditure. It shapes the policy of the organization in consultation with its Secretary-General. END
From left to right: PCA Assistant Legal Counsel Yiwei Lu, PCA Assistant Legal Counsel Sandra Magalang, Embassy Legal Officer Atty. Marisar Ivy Cabatingan, Deputy Secretary-General Garth Schofield, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak, Deputy Secretary-General Martin Doe, First Secretary and Consul Atty Jarie Osias, First Secretary and Consul Atty. Irish Kay Kalaw-Ado and PCA Assistant Legal Counsel Rachel Jacob Tharakan. (The Hague PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.