DFA chief promotes rules-based global order, highlights PH-Japan ties

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday promoted the importance of a rules-based global order to the Philippines and its intention of closely working “bilaterally, regional, and multilateral fora” with other nations including Japan.

Manalo is currently in Tokyo, Japan to participate in the Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) and engage in policy discussions from May 14 to 16.

During his remarks before the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Manalo shared his perspective on the rules-based order and highlighted three key points.

“The rule of law ensures equity in the global commons. The Philippines recognizes the significance of equitable rules in governing our maritime domain. We take pride in our active involvement in the negotiations for the 1982 UNCLOS, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the future Treaty on the High Seas, through which we demonstrate our commitment to promoting fair and inclusive governance of the maritime commons,” he said.

He also emphasized that the Philippines is on the cusp of attaining “upper middle-income country status” and is projected to become the “16th largest economy in the world” by 2040.

“The strength of the Philippine economy lies in our robust economic fundamentals and a demographic sweet spot. Our primary agenda is to uplift the quality of life of all Filipinos, particularly the marginalized, and securing a peaceful and stable regional environment is paramount to this objective,” he said.

“Multilateralism must thrive as a unifying force and a platform for inclusion and empowerment of nations and their citizens. A rules-based global order forms the foundation for the kind of multilateralism that overcomes differences among actors, facilitates global action in response to challenges such as public health emergencies,  humanitarian crises, and climate change, and addresses emerging risks and threats that jeopardize us collectively,” he said.

Manalo said the Philippines consistently endeavored to make multilateralism “more constructive, inclusive, and equitable.”

"The Philippines has played a bridging and moderating role in many multilateral settings where polarities threaten consensus. We will continue to play this role, as it aligns with our overarching objective of fostering international cooperation," he said.

PH-Japan strategic partnership

The DFA chief said the bilateral ties in the coming years between the two countries will be acquiring “stronger contours” across many sectors including in the following areas:

• economic security and resilience through cooperation in critical infrastructure, advanced technologies, and climate-smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;
• more robust people-to-people connections;
• a stronger focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response as well as marine environmental protection, maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement, to implement the 1982 UNCLOS, and,
• new workstreams in cyber-cooperation including connectivity and cyber-security, and, space cooperation, including space domain awareness.

“The Philippines and Japan share a commonality which no other nation in Asia possesses, with the exception of South Korea – our treaty alliance with the United States, our historic and important relationship with America stands alongside our huge economic relationship with China. Hence, our two nations must continue to engage both China and the United States constructively, and support calls for Beijing and Washington to responsibly manage their strategic rivalry,” he said.

“Whilst every now and then, current and future challenges and transformations may make it seem that the relationship is treading on unfamiliar ground, the Philippines and Japan can always draw on the strength of our enduring values underpinning our Strategic partnership, and thus, chart a solid course towards mutual benefit, peace, and prosperity for our peoples in the years and decades to come,” he added.

The Munich Security Conference, which is the host and organizer of the MLM, the Munich Security Meeting in Tokyo “aims to connect European and American leaders with their counterparts in the Indo-Pacific region to discuss ideas on how to contribute to regional and global stability.”

Manalo joined policymakers and experts in sharing insights on a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific security architecture, nuclear security, and new partnership opportunities arising from the shifting geopolitical landscape in the region and beyond, according to the DFA. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News