The president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has made a historic visit to the Philippines to lecture on the role of international laws in driving climate action.

Tomas Heidar delivered a series of high-level lectures at the University of the Philippines and Asian Institute of Management for the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to deepen understanding of the international legal framework in relation to climate change and its global impacts, as well as highlight the need for multistakeholder support for a rules-based ocean regime to resolve disputes, clarify sovereign commitments under international frameworks, and identify areas for cooperation towards a just, peaceful, climate-resilient future for all.

At the University of the Philippines, Heidar said that the Law of the Sea and International Environmental Law “will improve cooperation between states.”

“It’s a key in climate change because you will not deal with climate change unilaterally. You need to do it together,” he said.

Given the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate impacts and its position as an active actor in various international legal frameworks such as the Loss and Damage Board, the lecture was an important step in the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to address climate change through international discussions on marine protection and climate governance.

The Philippines has one of the world’s longest coastlines and thriving coral ecosystems within the Coral Triangle and climate-related threats such as sea level rise and ocean acidification pose significant risks to the country’s marine biodiversity, fisheries and coastal economies.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo, Loyzaga said the landmark ITLOS Advisory Opinion that Heidar delivered serves as guide for the Philippines in continuously working with other states tackling climate change that she described as “the greatest global governance challenge of our generation.” 

“As a responsible member of the international community, the Philippines relies on international law to clarify responsibilities and commitments to advance climate action, including on greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution,” said Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Climate Change Commission vice chairperson and executive director.