16 October 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, together with the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM), the Embassy of Japan, and the Embassy of the United States in Ankara, organized a conference entitled, “Rule of Law from the Sea and Maritime Law Perspective” on 15 October 2024 at the Mahmut Esat Bozkurt Conference Hall of Ankara University Law Faculty.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bensurto emphasized the importance of having ongoing discussions on the rule of law, awareness on regional conflicts, growing tensions in the South China Sea, and finding common solutions to global problems.
DEHUKAM CEO Dr. Mustafa Başkara, Japanese Ambassador Takahiko Katsumata, and US Chargé d'Affaires Michael B. Goldman, each gave opening messages to the audience emphasizing the role that each of their countries play in the contribution and promotion of international rule of law. It was also mentioned that in April 2024, the US hosted the first trilateral summit between the US, Japan, and the Philippines, as three Indo-Pacific maritime democracies, who are bound together by historical ties of friendship and a shared commitment to fundamental values like freedom, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
Ambassador Bensurto, in his capacity as Professor from San Beda University - Graduate School of Law Faculty, gave a presentation on the “Rule of Law in the South China Sea.” His three-part talk first showed the participants what the South China Sea was like before the 2016 Arbitral Award; then discussed the impact of the Award and the 15 Submissions of the Philippines; and finally, the proposed the move forward or how to operationalize the Award.
Presentations were also given by Prof. Dr. Chie Kojima from Chuo University - Faculty of Law on “Environmental Rule of Law in Undelimited Maritime Areas,” and by Prof. Dr. Yücel Acer of DEHUKAM on “Delimitation of Maritime Areas from Türkiye’s Perspective.” The conference was moderated by DEHUKAM Board Member and Leading Researcher Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir.
The event was attended by around 180 people, including Turkish government officials, diplomats, members of the academe, lawyers, and students.
The full video of the conference is available on the Embassy’s YouTube account @phinturkiye. END
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. giving a talk on the Rule of Law in the South China Sea (Embassy photo)
Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. giving a talk on the Rule of Law in the South China Sea (Embassy photo)
Ambassador Bensurto (2nd from right) addresses queries and comments from the audience during the question-and-answer portion of the event as other speakers-panelists Dr. Prof. Dr. Chie Kojima of the Chuo University Faculty of Law (2nd from left) and Prof. Dr. Yücel Acer of DEHUKAM (far right) look on. (Embassy Photo)
The event speakers and panelists together with officials and representatives from Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM), the diplomatic corps, and law students. (Embassy photo)
