The late Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario envisioned a country that could positively contribute to the promotion of a rules-based international order. A veteran diplomat and a champion of democratic values, he successfully led the Philippines in its international arbitration proceeding against China to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea. His dedication and leadership have continued to inspire both the Philippine government and the Filipino people to promote the country’s legal rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The arbitral victory has reinforced the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and maintaining a rules-based international order. It has also demonstrated that conflicts in the region can be resolved legally and peacefully. Major players such as the United States, Australia, and Japan have consistently expressed their support for the Philippines, particularly in ensuring freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea based on international law. Furthermore, the increasing geopolitical and economic value of the Indo-Pacific prompted players including the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union to recalibrate their strategies towards the region. In the face of an increasingly multipolar world with its complex network of security risks, states acknowledge their collective responsibility to respond to threats through multilateral cooperation.

As security challenges continue to undermine and challenge the peace and stability in the region, the Philippines and other like-minded states must work together to uphold the arbitral tribunal ruling and effectively address emerging security threats, particularly in the maritime domain. Through multilateral cooperation, they should also build mechanisms to ensure that states abide by their obligations under international law and cease provocative behavior in the region.  

To honor the legacy of Secretary Albert del Rosario, the Stratbase ADR Institute organized an international conference entitled, “The 7th Year of the Arbitral Victory: Defending the West Philippine Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and the Rules-Based Order”, last 12 July 2023, Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (PHT).

The event brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, scholars, and policy experts in an in-person discussion to exchange views on the strategic value of the arbitral tribunal ruling, especially in maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.  

The panel discussion in the morning was supported by the Australian Government and will cover current security threats in the/ West Philippine Sea and underline the importance of maritime cooperation among like-minded states and key stakeholders.

In addition, the afternoon panel discussion, in partnership with the United States Embassy in the Philippines, will underscore the critical need to bolster the country’s alliances and strategic partnerships in the face of an increasingly complex and multipolar Indo-Pacific.