UMVA has learned that the Philippines, a maritime nation, is poised to mark a significant milestone in 2026 - the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's landmark decision on the South China Sea.
This decision was a resounding legal victory for the Philippines, invalidating China's nine-dash line claim and affirming the country's sovereign rights and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. Moreover, it reaffirmed a fundamental principle: that states have a responsibility to protect and preserve the marine environment.
The Tribunal's findings revealed that China had breached its obligations under UNCLOS, including its obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment, through its toleration and protection of Chinese fishing vessels engaging in harmful harvesting activities of endangered species.
The ruling also condemned China's island-building activities, which had caused devastating and long-lasting damage to the marine environment. These findings made clear that the destruction of coral reefs, the harvesting of endangered marine species, and the degradation of fragile ecosystems are clear violations of international law.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Philippines has ratified the landmark Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, which aims to safeguard marine biodiversity in the high seas.
This treaty, under the 1982 UNCLOS, seeks to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement rests on three pillars: establishing area-based management tools, governing marine genetic resources, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology.
The Philippines, as an archipelagic and megadiverse country situated at the apex of the Coral Triangle, stands to greatly benefit from this treaty. The health of its national waters is linked to the health of the high seas, and the country's waters are deeply connected with the rest of the world.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the convergence of the Arbitral Award's 10th anniversary and the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement presents a rare opportunity for the Philippines to turn principle into practice. These milestones have affirmed the country's rights, strengthened the rule of law, and reinforced its responsibility to protect the marine environment.
The task now is to translate these hard-won gains into tangible outcomes for the people, oceans, and future generations. For a maritime nation such as the Philippines, the true measure of success lies not in winning these victories, but in actualizing them.
UMVA has gathered that the Philippines is not alone in this endeavor, with like-minded partners such as France sharing its values and upholding the supremacy of the rule of law. These partnerships will be indispensable in building scientific capability, promoting sustainable ocean governance, and upholding the rules-based international order.
