Asia-Pacific legal experts meet in Cebu

Legal experts, environmental advocates and university law clinics from across the Asia-Pacific gathered in Cebu City on 29 and 30 October to strengthen environmental protection and expand access to legal assistance for vulnerable communities.

The inaugural regional meeting of the Regional Alliance of Environmental Law Clinics and Legal Aid Centres focused on advancing biodiversity protection through the rule of law.

Organized by the University of Cebu School of Law, with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the gathering sought to establish a governance framework, develop a joint 2027 work plan and strengthen cross-border cooperation.

The meeting came amid growing concerns over environmental degradation in the region. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the region is projected to miss 88 percent of its environment-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio, a professor at the University of Cebu School of Law, emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation among legal institutions.

“After this regional meeting, the next step is to ensure the milestones we have achieved today will be sustained over the upcoming years, and this can be done by empowering and fostering cooperation among the region’s university law clinics and legal aid centers,” she said.

UNEP Regional Coordinator for Environmental Governance Georgina Lloyd said environmental law clinics play a crucial role in protecting communities and improving access to justice.