Dr Lowell Bautista is Associate Professor at the School of Law, Western Sydney University, and a recognised expert on the law of the sea, maritime security, ocean governance, and the South China Sea. His teaching, research, and public engagement focus on the Philippines' maritime rights and interests, the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and contemporary developments in maritime security and ocean governance in the Indo-Pacific. He holds degrees in Political Science and Law from the University of the Philippines, an LL.M. from Dalhousie University, Canada, and a PhD in Law from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He regularly provides expert commentary and analysis on South China Sea issues to academic, policy, government, and media audiences.
This lecture examines the continuing significance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration and its impact on maritime governance and Indo-Pacific security.
The South China Sea arbitral award: Evolving post-arbitration strategies, implications and challenges
The tenth anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award provides an opportunity to reflect on one of the most significant developments in the modern law of the sea. The Award clarified fundamental questions concerning maritime entitlements, historic rights, environmental obligations, and the rights of coastal States under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Yet a decade later, many of the practical and strategic challenges that gave rise to the arbitration remain unresolved.
This lecture examines the continuing significance of the Award and its impact on diplomacy, maritime governance, domestic legislation, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. It argues that the Award should be understood not only as a legal victory, but also as a strategic compass and a continuing national responsibility. Drawing on recent developments in the South China Sea, the lecture explores how the Philippines and its partners can sustain the relevance of the Award while promoting a rules-based maritime order, peaceful dispute management, and the effective protection of maritime rights and interests.
Guests are warmly invited to join us for a light reception from 5.30 pm, ahead of the lecture commencing at 6.00 pm.
This public lecture is jointly organised by the ANU Philippines Institute and the the Philippine Embassy in Australia.
If you require accessibility accommodations, please contact the event organiser.
