Philippines presses rule of law in resolving disputes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has underscored the importance of the rule of law in the conduct of diplomacy and international relations, especially in disarmament and collective security.

Cecilia Rebong, ambassador and permanent representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other Organizations in Geneva, focused her discussion on disarmament and collective security when she made her presentation on the Philippines’ arbitration case before the Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Sustainable peace and security are made possible by a rules-based regime, generally accepted by countries, that equalizes powerful actors and their less influential ones. Sustainable peace and security are direct products of the reason and ascendancy of the rule of law,” Rebong said.

“Disregard the rule of law and you fall in conflict prevention,” the ambassador added.

Michael Moller, director general of the United Nations Office in Geneva, echoed her statements when he said in his opening remarks, “Disarmament is not only a security issue, it is interlinked with rule of law, human rights and trust, among others. A holistic approach which prioritizes prevention rather than focusing on the cure.”

Both Rebong and Moller spoke in a panel discussion last Feb. 9 on the practical and achievable steps that disarmament mechanisms could provide to build confidence, political trust, defuse tensions and bolster cooperation in an increasingly charged international environment.

Other panelists included Ute Finch-Kramer, member of parliament and vice-chair of the subcommittee for disarmament affairs German Bundestag; retired ambassador Sergey Batsanov, Pugwash office director; and Dan Plesch, director of the Center for International Studies and Diplomacy.

Organized by the Permanent Mission of Canada and the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, the event was attended by graduate students from the SOAS, representatives of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies of Geneva, diplomatic corps and civil society.