ADRi Event: “The 8th Year of the Arbitral Victory: A Collective Pursuit of Maritime Security in the West Philippine Sea”

The Arbitral Award accorded to the Philippines by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 underscored the importance of the rules-based international order. It brought to the forefront of global discussions the efforts of the Philippines to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Confronted with asymmetric security challenges, the Philippines remains steadfast in its stance, employing a whole-of-society approach to asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea. The current administration’s firm pronouncements are complemented by the military’s efforts to boost external defense capabilities through the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Moreover, civil society plays an active role through civilian missions in the West Philippine Sea and an assertive transparency strategy, publicizing incidents that undermine the rules-based international order.

The firm stance and concrete steps taken by the Philippines to safeguard its rights has inspired renewed confidence in the international community. Like-minded partners such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, and the European Union among others continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as part of collective efforts to ensure security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

The Arbitral Award serves as a reminder of the Philippines’ victory in upholding its sovereign rights and the enduring strength of the rules-based international order. Underscoring the ongoing challenges and the need for sustained vigilance and collective action, renewing the shared commitment to maritime security among all participants forges stronger partnerships in exploring innovative strategies to safeguard common interests in the Indo-Pacific.

As we celebrated the 8^th anniversary, the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with the Australian Embassy in the Philippines and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, organized a conference entitled, “The 8^th Year of the Arbitral Victory: A Collective Pursuit of Maritime Security in the West Philippine Sea.” last 12 July 2024 (Friday) from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (PHT) at the Main Lounge, Manila Polo Club, Makati City.

The event aimed to bring 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.   