NAMRIA NEWSCOOP


Philippines secures a seat in the CLCS of the United Nations
Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 19
By: Annrou R. Ramos

The Philippines recently won a seat in the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) of the United Nations for the period 2023-2028. “The country received a total of 113 votes from 164 States Parties present during the election of the 32nd Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS),” the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN said. The 32nd SPLOS was held in person at the UN Headquarters in New York City, USA from 13 to 17 June 2022. The Philippine delegation led by Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Enrique A. Manalo was composed of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN. NAMRIA Deputy Administrator (DA) Efren P. Carandang is the Philippine candidate to the CLCS.
 
According to the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN, the country “competed with eight other candidates under the Asia Pacific Group, and successfully reached the required majority of votes following four rounds of voting.” This is the first time that the Philippines was elected as a member of the CLCS. The country will serve a term of five years.
 
The CLCS is an international body created under UNCLOS that is tasked to examine the submissions of coastal States for continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. In 2012, the Philippine delegation led by NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD successfully hurdled the CLCS’ examination of the Philippine submission in the Benham Rise, now the Philippine Rise.
 
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Ambassador Manalo welcomes the guests at the diplomatic reception held at the UN Headquarters on 17 May 2022 in connection with the launch of the Philippine candidature to the CLCS.
(Photo courtesy of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations)
 
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Secretary Locsin campaigns for the Philippines’ CLCS candidate while affirming the Philippines’ firm commitment to support the bodies that implement UNCLOS.
(Photo courtesy of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations)
 
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DA Carandang delivers his presentation entitled “International Law-Based Regime in Maritime Governance: Key to Lasting Peace and Prosperity in Our Seas.”
(Photo courtesy of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations)


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