12 July 2022
Today we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. More than a historic milestone whose value lies in its commemorative significance, we recall 12 July 2016 as the day that affirmed to the community of nations that the rule of law prevails, and that stability, peace and progress can only be attained when founded on a rules-based legal order on the oceans, as it should be everywhere else.
The Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea.
The year 2022 is also the 40th anniversary of the adoption of UNCLOS. UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. There is no recourse to general international law on matters comprehensively covered by the UNCLOS. Compliance with UNCLOS, which represents a delicate balance of the rights and obligations of all States Parties, in its entirety is key to ensuring global and regional peace and the fair and sustainable use of the oceans.
The Award, an affirmation of UNCLOS’ dispute resolution mechanisms, not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is an inspiration for how matters should be considered – through reason and right – by states facing similarly challenging circumstances.
It authoritatively ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’ had no basis in law and is without legal effect.
It upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone.
It affirmed that certain actions within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes.
These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award.
The Award benefits the world across the board. We do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far. We see it as it should be seen: as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change. It puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription.
And so we say once again: the present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to this for as long as it exists. END
PH AMBASSADOR TANG PAYS COURTESY CALL ON UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN NAIROBI
Nairobi, 30 June 2022 – PH Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Marie Charlotte G. Tang paid a courtesy call on UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and conveyed that she looks forward to being actively engaged in UNEP matters. ED Andersen relayed that she is keen on the strong support from the new administration on the global fight against plastics and hopes that the Philippines continues to be a loud voice on environmental issues.
AMB. TANG PRESENTS CREDENTIALS AS PH NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR TO BURUNDI
Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang presents her Letter of Credence to President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi.
BUJUMBURA, 27 June 2022 – Philippine Non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi Marie Charlotte G. Tang presented her credentials to President Evariste Ndayishimiye on 27 June 2022 at a ceremony held at the Palais Ntare Rushatsi in Bujumbura.
Ambassador Tang conveyed the felicitations of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the the President and the people of Burundi as the country celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence on 01 July 2022.
She expressed her hope to work with Burundian officials in enhancing bilateral relations and people-to-people relations.
President Ndayishimiye welcomed the cordial relations between the Philippines and Burundi and stated that the Philippines can share its expertise in many fields to support Burundi’s development.
In addition to Ambassador Tang, envoys of Romania, Hungary, Algeria, Indonesia, and Malawi also presented their credentials to President Ndayishimiye.
During her visit to Bujumbura, Ambassador Tang also met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, including Permanent Secretary Ferdinand Bashikako.
She also met with the small Filipino community in Burundi, working with UN agencies, manufacturing companies, and religious congregations.
Burundi is a small landlocked republic located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. The capital was moved to Gitega in 2018 although Bujumbura remains the country’s largest city and main commercial hub.
The Philippines and Burundi formally established diplomatic relations in 2017.
Ambassador arrives at the Palais Ntare Rushatsi while the Burundian military band plays on (Photo credit: Office of the President of Burundi).
Ambassador Tang gives a brief statement about Philippines-Burundi relations following her presentation of credentials to President Ndayishimiye.
Ambassador Tang (second from left) meets with Permanent Secretary Ferdinand Bashikako of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation (MAECD) (third from left). Ambassador Tang was accompanied by Nairobi PE Third Secretary and Vice Consul Louie Dane Merced (first from left) (Photo credit: MAECD).
Ambassador Tang (fifth from left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Merced (sixth from left) meet with the Filipino community in Burundi.
ASEAN CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY (ACB) PAYS COURTESY CALL ON PH AMBASSADOR TANG IN NAIROBI
Nairobi, 24 June 2022 – A delegation from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) headed by Ms. Clarissa Arida, Director, Programme and Development Implementation (third from right) paid a courtesy call on PH Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UNEP Marie Charlotte G. Tang (third from left) during which the ACB briefed the Ambassador on its work and recent projects and activities. Ambassador Tang said that the Embassy looks forward to collaboration between the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi and the ACB. The ACB delegation is in Nairobi to participate in the Fourth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
ACB is the only ASEAN Centre of Excellence based in the Philippines. It was established in 2005 to assist the ASEAN Member States in protecting and conserving its valuable and unique biodiversity resources. END
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