Statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the 42nd Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

MANILA 10 December 2024 – Today, the Philippines joins the international community in commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This year marks an important milestone with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of UNCLOS’ entry into force in 1994.

Over the past three decades, the Philippines has demonstrated its profound commitment to the Convention, reaffirming its universal and unified character as the comprehensive legal framework for law and order in the seas within which all activities in the oceans must be carried out – indeed, the constitution of the oceans.

The country’s commitment has been manifested in concrete actions. From being one of the first to sign and ratify the Convention, the Philippines has continued to align its domestic legal framework with UNCLOS through the enactment of the Philippine Baselines act, and more recently the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

As it upholds its lawful claim to its maritime entitlements, the Philippines has continued to engage coastal neighbors through discussions on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf, and the extended continental shelf, measured from lawfully-drawn baselines where these maritime zones may overlap.

This readiness to engage fully within the parameters set by UNCLOS is a testament to our unwavering belief in the peaceful means of settling disputes, and the rule of law and the rules-based international order. We adhered to UNCLOS’ dispute resolution mechanisms through the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration, underscoring that claims exceeding geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS are without legal effect. We continue to call for compliance with the 2016 Arbitral Award and we appreciate the growing acknowledgement of the Award as an unassailable part of the corpus of international law.

Today, UNCLOS continues to serve as the cornerstone for a peaceful and prosperous maritime domain, where the rights and interests of all States are respected and protected. The Philippines takes immense pride in its contributions to the negotiation and the promotion of UNCLOS. Just as we played an indelible role in advancing the archipelagic doctrine, we will continue to build upon our significant footprint in enriching the law of the sea, through its three implementing agreements including the BBNJ Agreement, and by taking an active role in deepening collaboration with countries and organizations that is anchored on common interests in ocean protection, conservation, management and governance.

As we mark this annual celebration, the Philippines reaffirms its dedication to uphold the provisions and the principles enshrined in UNCLOS in furtherance of our national interest and humanity’s aspiration for peace and prosperity. END