Duterte calls for peaceful, sustainable use of oceans, seas, marine resources
Published Apr 27, 2019 08:02 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
BEIJING – Addressing fellow world leaders attending the Belt and Road Forum here, President Duterte has called for the protection and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd L)
(Photo by Parker Song / POOL / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN) The President sought greater international cooperation on marine protection as he recognized these waterways are vital channels for trade and transportation. “As an archipelagic state, the Philippines seeks to improve our collective capacity to manage and protect marine resources,” Duterte said in his remarks at the leaders’ roundtable session, before ending his four-day visit to Beijing. “As channels of transportation and communication and a vital source of sustenance and livelihood, our oceans and seas connect and sustain us. It is thus our collective duty to promote their sustainable and peaceful use in accordance with international law,” he added. The President issued the statement during the Belt and Road leaders’ session on “Promoting green and sustainable development to implement the 2030 agenda.” Duterte, in his remarks, said countries must continue to work together to overcome challenges not only of poverty, hunger, violence, but also environmental degradation. “Development challenges transcend national boundaries. Indeed, no country can stand alone and hope to effectively overcome these challenges. We must, therefore, work together, aware of our shared humanity and common future,” he said. He noted that Belt and Road Forum presents an opportunity for the nations to explore avenues of mutually beneficial partnerships for inclusive sustainable development. He said the Philippines, in engaging international partners, seeks to create synergy to ensure that initiatives are responsive to domestic needs. “An open dialogue underpinned by trust and respect is key to this understanding. Doing so creates a strong sense of national ownership and accountability, thus ensuring success,” he said. He said an effective belt and road cooperation should offer more than just economic returns. “It must be an exercise of responsible and effective partnerships for inclusive and sustainable development,” he said. Duterte made the pitch for ocean protection amid the country's conflict with China in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government recently protested the swarming of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, saying such presence was illegal. Manila also raised concerns about the reported poaching of giant clams by Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal. The two nations have decided to continue to hold bilateral negotiations to settle the issue.
President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd L)(Photo by Parker Song / POOL / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN) The President sought greater international cooperation on marine protection as he recognized these waterways are vital channels for trade and transportation. “As an archipelagic state, the Philippines seeks to improve our collective capacity to manage and protect marine resources,” Duterte said in his remarks at the leaders’ roundtable session, before ending his four-day visit to Beijing. “As channels of transportation and communication and a vital source of sustenance and livelihood, our oceans and seas connect and sustain us. It is thus our collective duty to promote their sustainable and peaceful use in accordance with international law,” he added. The President issued the statement during the Belt and Road leaders’ session on “Promoting green and sustainable development to implement the 2030 agenda.” Duterte, in his remarks, said countries must continue to work together to overcome challenges not only of poverty, hunger, violence, but also environmental degradation. “Development challenges transcend national boundaries. Indeed, no country can stand alone and hope to effectively overcome these challenges. We must, therefore, work together, aware of our shared humanity and common future,” he said. He noted that Belt and Road Forum presents an opportunity for the nations to explore avenues of mutually beneficial partnerships for inclusive sustainable development. He said the Philippines, in engaging international partners, seeks to create synergy to ensure that initiatives are responsive to domestic needs. “An open dialogue underpinned by trust and respect is key to this understanding. Doing so creates a strong sense of national ownership and accountability, thus ensuring success,” he said. He said an effective belt and road cooperation should offer more than just economic returns. “It must be an exercise of responsible and effective partnerships for inclusive and sustainable development,” he said. Duterte made the pitch for ocean protection amid the country's conflict with China in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government recently protested the swarming of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, saying such presence was illegal. Manila also raised concerns about the reported poaching of giant clams by Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal. The two nations have decided to continue to hold bilateral negotiations to settle the issue.