PH Embassy in Mexico Conducts a Webinar Entitled “The Archipelagic Concept in the South China Sea Dispute”

Some participants of the webinar in celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) 2024, “The Archipelagic Concept in the South China Sea Dispute” held on 27 September 2024 via Zoom (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of the Philippines)

MEXICO CITY 03 October 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Mexico successfully conducted a webinar in commemoration of Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) on 27 September 2024 held via Zoom with more than 100 participants including those who attended through the Embassy´s YouTube channel, with Hon. Justice Antonio T. Carpio, retired Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, as resource speaker.

Justice Carpio discussed the critical aspects of the Philippines’ territorial and maritime rights, focusing on the legal framework that governs the nation’s sovereignty over its land and waters. He outlined two fundamental concepts which are territorial sovereignty and maritime zones under UNCLOS:

1. Territorial Sovereignty
   Justice Antonio T. Carpio explained how the Philippines’ land territory is defined by international treaties such as the Treaty of Paris (1898), the Treaty of Washington (1900), and the Convention between Great Britain and the United States (1930). These agreements establish the physical boundaries over which the country exercises full sovereignty, allowing it to govern, enforce laws, and utilize resources within these territories.
2. Maritime Zones under UNCLOS
   Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines is recognized as an archipelagic state. This status enables the country to define its maritime zones, including the 12-nautical mile territorial sea and the 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Within these areas, the Philippines has the exclusive right to manage and exploit marine resources, while the continental shelf extends rights to explore natural resources on the seabed.

Justice Carpio emphasized the interdependence between land territory and maritime claims, underscoring the principle that "land dominates the sea." He highlighted the importance of natural islands in generating maritime entitlements, allowing the Philippines to assert its rights over vast ocean spaces, including the West Philippine Sea.

The discussion between the speaker and participants of the webinar was robust.

The Embassy extends its gratitude to all who attended the event and reiterates its commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of the Philippines’ identity as a maritime nation and an archipelagic state. END

1734 Carta Hydrographica y Chronographica de las Yslas Filipinas

1808 Carta General del Archipielago Filipino

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