PH President of Permanent Court of Arbitration Administrative Council Presides Approval of 2025 Budget, Turns Over to New Leadership
(Front, from left to right) Secretary General Marcin Czepelak, Philippine Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya and Slovakian Ambassador Juraj Podhorsky (Back) Deputy Secretary General Garth Schofield and Minister and Consul Jarie Osias.
THE HAGUE 16 December 2024 – The Administrative Council of the Permanent Court of Arbitration approved December 10 the 2025 budget of the organization, with Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, President of the Administrative Council for term 2023-2024, chairing the session. The meeting marked the conclusion of Ambassador Malaya’s two-year presidency of the Administrative Council. The 212th Meeting of the Administrative Council was held at the PCA Headquarters in Peace Palace, The Hague.
Under Malaya’s leadership, the Administrative Council focused on the preparations for and the conduct of fitting activities to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the PCA this year 2024, the highlight of which was the well-attended Congress of the Members of the Court and Legal Advisers held on 12-14 June at the Peace Palace in The Hague, only the third such conference in the history of the PCA.
In addition, Malaya prioritized initiatives to enhance the relations of the PCA with the United Nations and its Member-States, in view of the two intergovernmental organizations’ shared mission in the maintenance of peace and security. Efforts were also undertaken to update and streamline the PCA Arbitration Rules, and conduct outreach services to the law academe, arbitration centers and bar associations.
In his valedictory message, Ambassador Malaya described the Philippine presidency as productive and fulfilling, noting that it was made “more meaningful and memorable as the term coincided with the PCA’s 125th anniversary. It has been an honor and privilege to have served at an important phase of this organization.
Among the highlights of the two-year Presidency were the following:
- the adoption by the U.N. General Assembly via consensus of the Philippine-initiated UNGA Resolution No. 77/322 of 1 August 2023 which welcomed the PCA’s 125th Anniversary and acknowledged the “important contribution of the PCA to the peaceful settlement of disputes;”
- the successful conduct of the Congress of the Members of the Court and Legal Advisers;
- the adoption by the Administrative Council on 10 September 2024 of three Optional Protocols to the PCA Arbitration Rules 2012 on an opt-in basis; and
- the initiation and sponsorship by the Philippines and the Core Group of States of three forums on the PCA and its dispute settlement facilities at the U.N. Headquarters in New York on 26 June 2023, 24 October 2023 and 22 October 2024, respectively.
In his report to the Council, Secretary General Marcin Czepelak said that initiatives were undertaken to make the organization more accessible to Contracting Parties by maintaining closing relationships with both the Embassies and their respective capitals. The organization has also actively engaged with non-Contracting Parties and has increased its outreach to the United Nations. “Thanks to the dedication of Ambassador Malaya... The increasing activities of the Council are spearheaded by the Acting President,” the Secretary General said.
The Administrative Council elected Slovakian Ambassador Juraj Podhorsky as new Acting President for term 2025 and 2026.
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) Deputy Secretary General Martin Doe, Secretary General Czepelak, Ambassador Malaya, Minister and Consul Osias and Deputy Secretary General Schofield
Ambassador Malaya
Secretary General Marcin Czepelak
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