๐๐๐ ๐ | ๐๐๐๐ 8, 2026
As part of the week-long commemoration of the ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ 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 ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐๐๐), ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐, 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.
