UNGA adopts Philippine-led reso on PCA role

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has adopted a resolution put forward by the Philippines and a core group of countries highlighting the role of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The resolution calls on member states and organizations of the UN system to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the PCA.

It also encourages member states to avail of the services of the PCA, which complement the mission of the UN to promote international peace and the development of international law.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed the UNGA's adoption of the resolution.

“In the spirit of the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, this is yet another contribution of the Philippines to upholding the rule of law in preserving and maintaining international order and reflects our deep and unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes,” DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a statement.

The department thanked the 122 co-sponsors, especially Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, and Thailand in supporting the resolution and ensuring its adoption by consensus.

“The consensus adoption of the resolution shows that countries do see the merit of upholding the rule of international law and credible dispute settlement mechanisms like the PCA -- to deal with their differences through diplomacy, peacefully, and not by force or intimidation,” Manalo said.

The PCA is an intergovernmental organization, based in The Hague, The Netherlands, that provides a variety of dispute resolution services to the international community. It was created by treaty in 1899 with 122 contracting parties.

The court administers four of the five dispute settlement methods recommended in Article 33 of the U.N. Charter including inquiry, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.

Philippine Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya currently sits as the president of the PCA’s Administrative Council.

To recall, the Hague-based court ruled in favor of the Philippines in an arbitral case in 2016, upholding the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News