Relevance of UNCLOS highlighted in summit

MANILA, Philippines -  The relevance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was highlighted during the first Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) last Friday, as delegates recognized the importance of international law in providing a framework for maritime security and cooperation in the region.

The Philippines said that, in today’s context, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asia Summit (EAS) member-countries also recognized the importance of UNCLOS in addressing the issue of conflicting claims.

The participants also tackled the importance of regional agreements and arrangements such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the eventual adoption of a regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea on the basis of consensus.

The discussions during the 1st EAMF in Manila also focused on maritime connectivity and capacity building, infrastructure and equipment upgrading, seafarers’ training, protecting the marine environment, promoting eco-tourism and fishery regime in East Asia, and identifying best practices of cooperation.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Koji Tsuruoka stressed the importance of international cooperation and order at sea under the UNCLOS framework and the importance of identifying the tangible areas of cooperation on maritime issues among the EAS member-countries.

He also emphasized the need to establish mechanisms for maritime conflict prevention and dispute settlement and the significance of ASEAN centrality and integrity in addressing maritime issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan called for the rejection of “might is right” in resolving territorial rows as Tokyo urged claimants to clarify their territorial claims in accordance with international law.