INDEPENDENT think tank Stratbase Institute on Friday said the Philippines made the right strategic and diplomatic decision in pursuing the 2016 arbitral ruling, as evidenced by the nearly 30 diplomatic missions that joined the country in commemorating the ruling’s 10th anniversary.
The broad international participation underscored growing global support for the Philippines’ assertion of its rights in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed the significance of the landmark ruling.
In a statement, Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the presence of representatives from 26 foreign missions at its recent Makati forum marking the award’s 10th anniversary reflected the international community’s resolve to ensure that the landmark ruling remains relevant amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
‘By standing firmly with the Philippines, these partners are ensuring that the 2016 Arbitral Award remains a living document that defines the future of a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific,’ he said.
The forum was headlined by ambassadors from Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, who all affirmed their support for the arbitral ruling.
Also present during the forum were the chief of missions of the United States, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, and Austria.
The foreign missions of Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Italy and Thailand were also represented in the forum.
The event comes as international recognition of the arbitral ruling continues to expand.
Data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative showed that as of January 2025, 27 governments had publicly called for the award to be respected.
Between November 2022 and October 2024, 18 countries-including France, South Korea, and Norway-strengthened their positions by explicitly recognizing the ruling as legally binding.
Last July 12, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the 27 EU member states, affirmed that the ‘2016 Arbitral Award, adopted by the independent and impartial arbitral tribunal in accordance with Unclos, was final and legally binding upon the parties to the proceedings.’
‘As a landmark decision in the peaceful settlement of disputes, it must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved,’ she said.
She added that the EU was concerned by the steady increase of tensions and dangerous incidents in the South China Sea ‘and firmly opposes any unilateral actions that threaten to undermine regional stability and the international order based on international law and the rule of law.’
Other ambassadors were equally firm in their recognition of the award’s finality.
During the forum, Indian Ambassador Sri Harsh Kumar Jain affirmed that New Delhi considers the 2016 Arbitral Award to be ‘final and binding’ and that it constitutes the basis for peaceful dispute resolution. South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said Korea fully supported the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, adding that ‘prosperity flourishes when seas unite rather than divide, when rules prevail over coercion, and when freedom of navigation and overflight are respected in accordance with international law.’
The Stratbase Institute acknowledged these nations for their courage in calling out dangerous and destabilizing conduct, such as the use of water cannons and most recently the launch of a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific.
Manhit said the collective recognition is being translated into tangible action, with Australia planning a new defense cooperation arrangement for 2026 and the United Kingdom commencing formal negotiations for its own Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sofa).