𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏 | 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 8, 2026
As part of the week-long commemoration of the 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 brought together local and international experts, government officials, policymakers, academics, members of the diplomatic community, media practitioners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to deepen public understanding of international maritime law and the Philippines’ rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea.
The Day 1 of summit featured capacity-building lectures, policy dialogues, and expert panel discussions on the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 (𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒), 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, and the Philippines’ maritime entitlements. Discussions also covered the country’s legal and strategic approaches to the West Philippine Sea, dispute settlement under UNCLOS, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf, and the historical basis of South China Sea claims. The program concluded with the Gala Dinner, featuring keynote addresses and a special lecture on the role of maps and historical records in reinforcing the Philippines’ maritime position.
The activity successfully enhanced participants’ understanding of international maritime law, promoted meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders, and reinforced support for a rules-based international order. It also strengthened collaboration and encouraged informed public engagement in advancing and protecting the Philippines’ maritime rights and national interests.
