DFA FACILITATES NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON DEEP SEABED MINING

• Published date: 23 December 2022
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

23 December 2022 (Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs) PASAY 23 December 2022 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) conducted a consultation with technical experts and stakeholders on Deep Seabed Mining to facilitate the development of a national position on deep seabed mining on 16 December 2022 at the Bulwagang Elpidio Quirino, DFA Building, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City.

In her opening remarks, DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce urged the participants to keep in mind that the Philippines must consider the economic benefits of deep seabed mining with due regard to the obligation to conserve and protect the marine environment and reminded them of the primacy of UNCLOS in all activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The international seabed 'Area' and its mineral resources are the common heritage of mankind and must be administered for the benefit of humankind as a whole, by the International Seabed Authority. As a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines can participate in deep seabed mining activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction, subject to the approval of the ISA. However, the Philippines has not clarified policy and legislative directions on the deep seabed, and such policies and directions must be grounded in sound scientific, objective, and technical advice.

The consultations were held to facilitate that important conversation and bring together stakeholders that can help design programs and incubate policies in pursuit of common development objectives towards national legislation on the deep seabed.

Resource speakers during the consultations included: Atty. Neil Silva of the University of the Philippines (U.P.) Institute for...