United States, Philippines Hold Third Maritime Dialogue in Manila

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On October 24, the Philippines and the United States held their third Maritime Dialogue in Manila where the two sides underscored their shared commitment to strengthening compliance with international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  They also stressed the importance of the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea.

First held in 2022, the Maritime Dialogue serves as a platform to improve maritime policy and operational coordination between the United States and the Philippines.

Led by Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez and U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Mahlet Mesfin, the delegates reviewed ongoing cooperative efforts and discussed ways for the two sides to jointly address current challenges and shared maritime concerns, particularly in the South China Sea.

Both sides also discussed deepening cooperation on maritime law enforcement, including capacity building of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); addressing the impact of climate change and sea level rise; and countering illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).

Representatives from the defense, justice, foreign affairs, security, fisheries, environment, and law enforcement agencies of both sides participated in the discussion, including Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Julius Yano, Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director General Francis Jude Lauengco, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, and U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Brandon Yoder.

During the Maritime Dialogue, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement announced Php450 million ($8 million) in new funding for the modernization of the PCG.  This funding will support the PCG’s infrastructure enhancements, training program development, and resource acquisition and management planning.

The U.S. and Philippine governments decided to convene the Maritime Dialogue at the 11th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., in April 2024 to build upon the outcomes of prior dialogues and exchanges.