{"id":23772,"date":"2026-07-31T21:25:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T01:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/?p=23772"},"modified":"2026-07-31T21:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T01:29:25","slug":"philippines-reasserts-enduring-legal-significance-of-2016-south-china-sea-arbitral-award-and-role-of-unclos-in-ocean-governance-at-forum-in-new-york-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2026\/07\/31\/philippines-reasserts-enduring-legal-significance-of-2016-south-china-sea-arbitral-award-and-role-of-unclos-in-ocean-governance-at-forum-in-new-york-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Philippines Reasserts Enduring Legal Significance of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and Role of UNCLOS in Ocean Governance at Forum in New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Philippines Reasserts Enduring Legal Significance of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and Role of UNCLOS in Ocean Governance at Forum in New York City<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Panelists share perspectives on the evolving landscape of maritime law and ocean governance with invited guests.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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NEW YORK CITY, 31 July 2026 <\/b>\u2013 The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations, in partnership with the New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), held the forum \u201cThree Decades of the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes under UNCLOS and the Future of Ocean Governance\u201d on 30 July 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

In his remarks, Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN, described UNCLOS as the constitutional framework for the oceans and highlighted how its jurisprudence has strengthened legal certainty, promoted consistency in State practice, and reinforced confidence in resolving maritime disputes through legal processes.<\/span><\/p>

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile placed the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award in human terms, urging participants to consider its implications for stakeholders, such as subsistence fishing communities, seafarers, and maritime traders, among others. International law, he added, must deliver tangible benefits to those whose lives and livelihoods depend on the oceans and seas.<\/span><\/p>

The panel was moderated by Victoria Pochtar, Chair of the International Law Committee of the NYCBA, and Professor Jay L. Batongbacal, Director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea of the University of the Philippines Law Center; Paul Reichler, counsel for the Philippines during the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration; Catherine Amirfar, Partner and Co-Chair of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP\u2019s International Dispute Resolution and Public International Law Groups; Professor James Kraska, Charles H. Stockton Professor of International Maritime Law at the U.S. Naval War College; Senior State Counsel Fretti Ganchoon, Head of the Maritime Group of the Department of Justice Legal Staff; and Ambassador Victoria Hallum, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the UN.<\/span><\/p>

The panelists highlighted the Award\u2019s continuing legal significance in clarifying maritime rights and entitlements and strengthening the rules-based maritime order. They also discussed how it has shaped Philippine laws, policies, and actions in the West Philippine Sea, together with the challenges of securing compliance and managing maritime disputes peacefully.<\/span><\/p>

Further, the panel underscored the continued relevance of UNCLOS in preventing escalation at sea, protecting the marine environment, and addressing climate change, sea-level rise, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, and deep seabed mining. The speakers also emphasized the importance of bringing together law, science, and diplomacy in responding to these challenges.<\/span><\/p>

In summing up the discussions, Attorney Jane E. Yu of the Office of the Solicitor General emphasized the protection afforded by UNCLOS, the power of the Convention as demonstrated by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and its ability to address present and emerging maritime challenges. Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs concluded the program by reaffirming the Philippines\u2019 commitment to international law and peaceful dispute settlement, noting that the Award continues to inform the interpretation and application of UNCLOS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The forum gathered diplomats, international law practitioners, academics, and law students to reflect on UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms and commemorate the 10<\/span>th<\/span> anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.<\/span>END<\/b><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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From left: Atty. Victoria Pochtar, Professor Jay L. Batongbacal, Atty. Fretti Ganchoon, and Ambassador Victoria Hallum.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo (left photo) and Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (right photo) deliver their respective remarks at the opening of the forum.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Philippines Reasserts Enduring Legal Significance of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and Role of UNCLOS in Ocean Governance at Forum in New York City Panelists share perspectives on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[40,84,27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nPhilippines Reasserts Enduring Legal Significance of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and Role of UNCLOS in Ocean Governance at Forum in New York City - Philippine Consulate General<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2026\/07\/31\/philippines-reasserts-enduring-legal-significance-of-2016-south-china-sea-arbitral-award-and-role-of-unclos-in-ocean-governance-at-forum-in-new-york-city\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Philippines Reasserts Enduring Legal Significance of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and Role of UNCLOS in Ocean Governance at Forum in New York City - 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