PH Embassy in Mexico Conducts a Webinar on UN Decade of Ocean Science and the West Philippine Sea

Some of the attendees of the webinar conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Mexico in celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo 2023) held on 28 September 2023 via Zoom.

MEXICO 26 October 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Mexico led by Ambassador Lilybeth R. Deapera celebrated the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) 2023 with this year’s theme "Kapuluan, Kabuluhan, Kaunlaran" (Archipelago, Significance, and Development) by organizing a webinar entitled “Navigating the Seas of Change: The Philippines and the UN Decade of Ocean Science” and “The West Philippine Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award” via Zoom on 28 September 2023 in Mexico City.

The webinar was conducted by Dr. Gil S. Jacinto, a Scientist and Consultant of Philippine National Commission for UNESCO and Academician from the National Academy of Science and Technology, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Marisa R. Winkler of the Philippine Embassy in Mexico who was a former Principal Assistant of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Dr. Jacinto discussed the critical role of oceans in global ecosystems, economies, and daily life; Ocean Decade outcomes; current challenges; and key strategies to achieve the visions of the Ocean Decade. He also touched on the importance of the West Philippine Sea, especially its contribution to the Philippines’ commercial fisheries production. He likewise emphasized the Philippines’ unique role as an archipelagic nation rich in marine resources that “it has both a vested interest and a responsibility in this global effort.”

Ms. Winkler talked about the West Philippine Sea, Philippine maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, the Philippines and other States’ rights in each maritime zone, the importance of West Philippine Sea to the food security in the region and the basis and salient points of the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The webinar was interactive. It was attended by around fifty participants from Mexico, Philippines and some parts of Central America. END

For more information, visit https://www.mexicope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinMexico/.