Washington pledges to strengthen compliance with UNCLOS 1982, provides large grants to Manila

Recently, the Philippines and the United States held the 3rd Maritime Dialogue in the capital Manila.

The 3rd US-Philippines Maritime Dialogue took place on October 24. (Source: PNA)

The Philippine news agency PNA reported that the dialogue took place on October 24, in which both sides emphasized their shared commitment to strengthening compliance with international law under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as the importance of the 2016 ruling of the International Court of Arbitration on the East Sea.

Chaired by Philippine Assistant Secretary of State for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mahlet Mesfin, the participants reviewed current cooperation efforts and discussed ways for both sides to address common maritime challenges and concerns, especially in the East Sea.

The two sides also discussed enhancing maritime law enforcement cooperation, including capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); responding to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels; and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUUF) fishing.

During the dialogue, the US State Department announced a new grant of P450 million (US$8 million) for PCG modernization. The grant will support infrastructure development, training programs, and resource management planning for the PCG.

Held for the first time in 2022, the Maritime Dialogue is a forum to improve maritime policy and operational coordination between the United States and the Philippines.

This is the third time the two countries are holding this dialogue, building on the strong partnership that was highlighted at the 4th Philippines-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in July in Manila, which highlighted the importance of maritime security and maritime cooperation as pillars of the alliance.

The 4th Philippines-US Maritime Dialogue will be hosted by Washington in 2025, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/doi-thoai-hang-hai-my-philippines-cam-ket-tang-cuong-tuan-thu-unclos-1982-washington-tai-tro-lon-cho-manila-291663.html