Philippines hosting forum on Asean maritime security

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is hosting the 8th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on Maritime Security.

The meeting, which started yesterday and ends today,  brings together 103 officials from ASEAN member states such as Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and the US, as well as ASEAN secretariat officials. 

In his keynote address yesterday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo underscored the Philippine’s commitment to pursue regional efforts to build rules-based maritime security architecture in Asia.

Manalo cited the Philippines’ interests as a maritime and archipelagic nation as well as the country’s adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He stressed the Philippines’ active support for building an ASEAN community that enhances maritime security and cooperation, as well as adopts internationally accepted maritime conventions and principles to promote peace and stability in the region.

The meeting’s agenda covers issues on challenges, relevant best practices, legal frameworks, and regional arrangements to deepen ARF cooperation.

Discussions focus on security and cooperation, safety of navigation and marine environment and sustainable development.

The meeting is taking a closer look at the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Vision 2025 and its maritime security agenda.