Philippines Co-Sponsors Forum on Centenary of Hague Academy at U.N. International Law Week

NEW YORK 27 October 2023 - The Philippines’ role in the study, wider appreciation and progressive development of international law and its proactive collaboration with The Hague Academy of International Law was underscored by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, in his remarks during the forum “Peaceful Dispute Settlement: The Indispensable Courts and Courses of the Peace Palace” on 25 October during the U.N. International Law week in New York. 

“The Hague Academy of International Law was conceived a century ago as an instrument for the promotion of peace through law. As was true during its early years as well as in today’s perilous times, the Hague Academy has stood for “right is might”— that international law and the rule of law should govern inter-state relations and not through coercion nor the use of force. The Academy has indeed become in many respects a “global public good.” It deserves our commendation and wholehearted support,” said Ambassador Malaya, who is also Acting President of the Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The forum commemorated the Centenary of the Hague Academy.

“Throughout its history, the Philippines has been a strong advocate for international law and the rule of law in inter-state relations, as exemplified by having been one of the 50 original signatories of the U.N. Charter and among the main authors of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes. The country’s commitment to strengthen its legal system through international law is enhanced by its proactive collaboration with the Hague Academy. Filipino lawyers are now among the largest attendees of the Academy’s courses,” Ambassador Malaya added. 

The Philippines has made in recent years modest annual contributions to support the Hague Academy’s activities. In July this year, the country also made a donation to fund scholarship grants in memory of Justice Florentino Feliciano, a founding Member and then President of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (1995-2001) and a Member of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy (1996 to 2015). 

In partnership with the The Judicial Academy Philippines (PhilJA), a special two-week program of the Hague Academy will be conducted in the Philippines in February next year (https://www.hagueacademy.nl/.../opening-of-the.../.) An official signing ceremony of the Terms of Reference between the PhilJA and the Hague Academy on the conduct of the program in Tagaytay was held on 14 July at the Historical Reading Room of the Peace Palace Library in The Hague. Chancellor Rosmari Carandang signed for PhilJA. 

The New York forum was organized by the Hague Academy, led by Secretary General Jean-Marc Thouvenin. The Philippines, through Philippine Permanent Representative to the U.N. Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, was the principal co-sponsor of the event. 

"As we celebrate the Academy’s centenary, we recognize its indispensable and unique role in imparting knowledge through the courses in the Peace Palace. The Academy remains an irreplaceable pillar, cultivating understanding and advancing international law throughout the years," Ambassador Lagdameo said.

The key resource persons during the side event were Secretary General Marcin Czepelak of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and H.E. Philippe Gautier, the Registrar of the International Court of Justice, who discussed the role and crucial importance of the Courts, as well as the courses given, at the Peace Palace. The program was moderated by Ambassador Ariel Penaranda, Philippine Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.

The U.N. General Assembly has issued resolutions that recognizes “the contributions of the Hague Academy to the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law.”

The proceedings of the side event was live-streamed through the U.N. webcast (https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1x/k1xbctwvcc). 

Established in 1923, the Hague Academy contributes to the promotion of peace through law by offering courses given by renowned academics, diplomats and practitioners from various institutions in the world. It is a dynamic institution, relying on one century of experience and constantly evolving to adapt to the needs of the time with respect to the dissemination of knowledge of international law and its teaching, both in theory and in practice (https://www.hagueacademy.nl/) // END

(L-R) Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel R. Peñaranda, ICJ Registrar Judge Gautier, THAIL Secretary General Thouvenin, PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak and Ambassador Malaya (photo from THe Hague PE)

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