National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea | March 30–31 at Marco Polo Ortigas

Manila, Philippines —  WPS, University of the Philippines – Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP IMLOS), and University of Asia and the Pacific Law successfully convened the National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea, last March 30-31 at the Marco Polo Ortigas.

The symposium was organized to cultivate a constituency of experts and local thought leaders, advance informed discourse on the West Philippine Sea, and help build principled national consensus on related China policy.

The first day of the symposium focused on building stronger legal literacy and a clearer understanding of the maritime entitlements, rights, and obligations that shape the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, the second day of the symposium addressed one of the central questions facing the Philippines today: how international law, policy, diplomacy, and public understanding can work together to strengthen the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea.

The discussions moved from legal foundations to contemporary policy challenges, including dispute settlement, the continuing significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award, transparency at sea, diplomacy, and the need to build a stronger national consensus on maritime issues and on China policy.

We are grateful to all law school deans, educators and other legal professionals from across the country who participated.

Catch the full lectures and panel discussions on YouTube here.

For more photos, you may also visit our Facebook page: WPS – We Protect our Seas

#WPS #WestPhilippineSea #UNCLOS