p>11 December 2024, Seoul. Panelists from the Philippines took part in the International Conference on Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific and the Rules-Based International Order held on 23 October 2024 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul.

The Seoul International Law Academy (SILA) in cooperation with the Eunsung Global Research Foundation (EGRF) hosted the annual international conference bringing together distinguished scholars, legal experts, policymakers, and diplomats to discuss pressing issues surrounding geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order.

The conference discussed the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region; challenges to the existing rules-based international order; and (3) opportunities for collaboration among nations to promote peace, stability, and adherence to international law.

The conference was opened by Korea University Professor Chung Suh-yong, President of the Seoul International Law Academy, who emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific as a focal point of global politics and the need for robust legal frameworks to address emerging challenges in the region across critical fields.

The keynote address was delivered by Korea’s First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun, who spoke on the importance of multilateral cooperation and a rules-based order in navigating complex challenges in the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-de Vega was a panelist on “Rules-based Strategies in the Indo-Pacific on Climate Change where she presented the Philippines’ longstanding advocacy for a rules-based international order in addressing climate concerns.

Professor Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines joined the panel on the “Status and Challenges of Indo-Pacific Strategies Amid Geopolitical Shifts,” where he discussed maritime security issues and legal mechanisms under UNCLOS.

The Seoul International Law Academy annual conference provides a platform for meaningful discussions on global cooperation in international legal matters. END