Manila: The Philippines and Japan are actively working to align their marine conservation initiatives with the United Nations High Seas Treaty, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday. The collaboration aims to enhance protection of the marine environment and ensure sustainable use of marine resources, as discussed during the 8th Philippines-Japan Maritime Dialogue in Tokyo from November 6 to 7.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA emphasized that the dialogue addressed various maritime issues, including navigation safety, marine environmental protection, and cooperation in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the newly adopted UN High Seas Treaty, officially known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The Philippines ratified the BBNJ, also known as the High Seas Treaty, on September 23, marking a commitment to the first legally binding international accord dedicated to conserving and sustainably utilizing marine biological diversity in the high seas.
The BBNJ aims to establish a framework for creating marine protected areas, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring a fair distribution of benefits from marine genetic resources. During the meeting, the countries also discussed shared challenges and agreed to enhance cooperation for a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific and a stable maritime domain based on the rule of law.’
Additionally, the dialogue underscored the upcoming 10th Anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, which resolved the maritime entitlements of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea. Both nations expressed support for initiatives to synchronize efforts with like-minded countries to promote a rules-based order.
The DFA reported that Japan anticipates the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN in 2026, with both sides expressing confidence in strengthening the Manila-Tokyo partnership in the coming years. The maritime dialogue was co-chaired by DFA Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Donato Guzman of the Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General Kyoko Hokugo of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. This dialogue follows the Philippines-Japan Vice-Ministerial Dialogue held on October 2.
