The Manila Times
LAPU-LAPU CITY — Southeast Asian leaders adopted a landmark declaration on maritime cooperation as the regional bloc’s 48th summit came to a close Saturday. The Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation reaffirmed that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) remains “the legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out,” while emphasizing the peaceful resolution of disputes without the threat or use of force and in accordance with international law. In a copy sent to The Manila Times on Saturday, the declaration emphasized the “universal and unified character” of Unclos. It stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region’s maritime domain, while ensuring “unimpeded lawful commerce” and stable global energy supply chains. It highlighted concerns over disruptions to maritime trade routes, food supply, logistics and energy connectivity. The declaration recognized the need to strengthen cooperation in protecting critical underwater infrastructure, including submarine cables and pipelines, amid evolving maritime challenges. It acknowledged threats involving marine pollution, marine ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and the effects of sea level rise on coastal communities, livelihoods and territorial integrity in Southeast Asia. It emphasized marine scientific research, technology transfer, and ocean governance as foundations for sustainable maritime cooperation. The declaration promoted greater awareness of Southeast Asia’s maritime heritage and its contribution to global civilization and navigation history. Under the declaration, Asean committed to strengthen maritime cooperation in areas such as defense and maritime law enforcement, maritime transport connectivity, port development, sustainable shipping, search and rescue operations, marine environmental protection, and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The agreement called for stronger cooperation on marine litter and plastic pollution, blue economy initiatives, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing mechanisms, joint exercises, and capacity-building programs consistent with international law. The declaration reaffirmed “the full and effective implementation” of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Regional cooperation mechanisms will be set up to address marine debris and plastic pollution, including the possible development of a successor document to the Asean Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris and a potential Asean agreement on marine plastics pollution. The declaration backed the planned establishment of an Asean Maritime Center in the Philippines, which would support mechanisms on maritime issues and promote cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination among member states while avoiding duplication of efforts. In his post-summit statement at the International Media Center in Lapu-Lapu City, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the declaration “reaffirm[s] the region’s collective commitment to boost maritime cooperation” and recognizes the “multidimensional nature of maritime issues.” Marcos also announced the adoption of several other regional agreements, including the Declaration on the Empowerment of Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience. Also adopted was the Asean Convergence on Disaster Response: the Asean Strategic Protocol for Emergency and Comprehensive Transformation Framework. “We look forward to enhancing our cooperation with ADB [Asian Development Bank] through its planned support for major Asean initiatives such as the Asean Power Grid, Asean Capital Markets Initiative, artificial intelligence readiness, blue economy, and resilient rivers,” the president said. Marcos highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and digital tools in improving energy forecasting, food-system monitoring, and social-protection delivery in the region. Also adopted was the amendment to the Asean Charter that formally integrated Timor-Leste into the regional bloc. The amendment marked the first change to the charter since it was signed in 2007.
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