PH Highlights Role of Permanent Court of Arbitration in UNCLOS Dispute Settlement at United Nations
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo opens the side event entitled “Preparation of the 125th Anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration: Reflections on the Timor-Leste / Australia Conciliation, Five Years After the First-Ever UNCLOS Conciliation” at the sidelines of the United Nations International Law Week. He is joined by (L-R), Chief Counsel Adam McCarthy of Australia, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Acting President of Administrative Council of Permanent Court of Arbitration, Dr. Hao Duy Phan (Viet Nam), and Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak of Permanent Court of Arbitration. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 27 October 2023 – Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo opened the side event entitled “Preparation of the 125th Anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration: Reflections on the Timor-Leste / Australia Conciliation, Five Years After The First-Ever UNCLOS Conciliation” at the sidelines of the United Nations International Law Week.
The side event featured a panel comprised of Mr. Dionisio Babo Soares, Former Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste; Mr. Adam McCarthy, Chief Counsel of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia; Ms. Daphne Hong, Solicitor General and Director-General of the International Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore. It was ably moderated by Dr. Hao Duy Phan, the Author of The Timor-Leste/ Australia Conciliation: A Victory for UNCLOS and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.
Addressing a room full of diplomats and international law experts, Ambassador Lagdameo thanked the core group of states that supported the General Assembly resolution for the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) - Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, and Thailand, as well as other co-sponsors, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.
“Just a little over two months ago, through our collective efforts, the General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution – co-sponsored by 121 states – to commemorate the 125th year of this institution – our institution,” Ambassador Lagdameo said. “Together, we reaffirmed the shared mission of the United Nations and the PCA in the maintenance of international peace and security, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the progressive development of international law. Together, we invited States and organizations of the United Nations to commemorate the PCA’s 125th anniversary, recognizing its contribution to the rule of law.”
“Today, we are heeding that call and moving forward – with this exchange of views on the practical work of the PCA under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: the first ever UNCLOS conciliation case between Timor-Leste and Australia,” Ambassador Lagdameo further noted.
Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands and Acting President, of the Administrative Council of the PCA and Secretary General Marcin Czepelak also delivered remarks.CDA Lesther Ortega of Guatemala also delivered observations and takeaways as Rapporteur.
The International Law Week is the highlight of the annual session of the Sixth Committee of, the primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the General Assembly. All United Nations Member States are entitled to representation on the Sixth Committee as one of the main committees of the General Assembly.
The side event is available on webcast via this website: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1g/k1gi0yccsh END.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo, center, poses with the panelists, moderator, and rapporteur for the side event. They are joined by the Ambassadors and representatives of the core group of states as well as the co-sponsors of the side event entitled “Preparation of the 125th Anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration: Reflections on the Timor-Leste / Australia Conciliation, Five Years After the First-Ever UNCLOS Conciliation.” (New York PM photo)
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