Philippines links maritime security to human security, highlights risks to seafarers

Maria Teresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, told the General Assembly that maritime security is "human security," noting nearly 90% of world trade moves by sea and that seafarers "support close to 2 million" positions in global shipping, with "more than 25%" of seafarers being Filipino.

She linked disruptions to maritime traffic to risks for global energy and food security, saying disruption "in the Middle East can trigger an energy emergency in the Philippines." Lazaro called for international law, citing UNCLOS as "the constitution of the oceans," and urged states to explore a framework that sets clear rules, rights and obligations governing critical maritime infrastructure, including undersea cables, sea lanes, ports and offshore facilities.

Lazaro referenced the 45th anniversary of UNLOS soon and pointed to the decade since the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as an example of peaceful dispute resolution under international law. She urged that protection of critical maritime infrastructure and cooperation extend to both physical and digital systems.