PH affirms the multilateral treaty process towards the rule of law cites UNCLOS

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 15): PH affirms the multilateral treaty process towards the rule of law cites UNCLOS

The Philippines described the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a “distinct achievement” of the international community, the “key to ensuring global and regional peace in the just and sustainable use of the world’s oceans and its resources.”

Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that her statement before the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the UN General Assembly reiterated the Philippines’ respect for the July 12 award of the arbitral tribunal under UNCLOS on the South China Sea arbitration, which clarified the maritime entitlements of the relevant parties and addressed, inter alia, claims of historic rights, the criteria for islands and rocks, the issue of fishing rights, and the protection of the marine environment.

According to her, the award is “a leading example of a legal outcome resulting from the multilateral treaty process, and is now a significant part of the corpus of jurisprudence in international law.”

The UN debate focused on Member States’ national experience and best practices on their implementation of multilateral treaties, many of which are deposited with the UN Secretary-General, including UNCLOS.

“When we enter into multilateral treaties, we renew our faith in the rule of law to govern our proper conduct with respect to each other,” Ambassador Yparraguirre noted, adding that, “The Philippines’ participation in these multilateral treaties attests to our long-held belief… that the rule of law can prevent war and attain peace and security, ensure human dignity, contribute to a better life for all in larger freedom, and create justice.”

The Philippines is a party to hundreds of multilateral treaties, ranging from the law on diplomatic and consular relations, international trade law, human rights law, international criminal law including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the protection of the environment, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

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