Bangkok, 25 March 2025 – The European Union, Thailand and Japan convened law enforcement practitioners, diplomats and legal experts in Bangkok to discuss how to better address legal challenges to regional maritime security and effectively support a proper implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In addition to Thailand, South-East Asian participants came from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
 

ESIWA project

The two-day seminar was co-organised by the European Union, the Office of the National Security Council of Thailand and Japan, with support from the EU project ESIWA+ (Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia & the Indo-Pacific).

Gathering about 100 people at the venue, and 29 participants registered online, the hybrid seminar included speakers from European and Asian official institutions and academia alike, all well versed in the current dynamics that impact the rule of law at sea, including legal consequences of emerging new technologies in the maritime domain. 

The seminar provided legal analyses and tools to better equip those whose operational duties include the implementation of UNCLOS in Indo-Pacific waters. 
 

ESIWA project

“This seminar is timely, meaningful and promising. Multilateralism and respect for international law are key priorities for the EU, in a context of growing global uncertainties. Support to UNCLOS is of pivotal importance to promote maritime security,” said H.E. Mr David DALY, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand. 

“In line with the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, we will continue engaging on this crucial matter with partners in the region, encouraged by the success of this seminar and as part of our commitment to partners in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). We are grateful to the co-organisers, Thailand and Japan, who joined with the EU in promoting the rule of law at sea. Participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and Vietnam added value to the deliberations through their valuable insights and experience,” Mr Daly added.

ESIWA project

Mr. Chatchai BANGCHAUD, Secretary-General of the National Security Council of Thailand, highlighted merits of the UNCLOS that provides a comprehensive framework to govern the rights and obligations of states. With regards to the context of the Indo-Pacific including Southeast Asia, the convention is the foundation of international rules and norms for addressing strategic dynamics, from securing Sea Lines of Communication, realising Sustainable Development Goals in maritime sectors, to maintaining open and inclusive regional architectures to promote and strengthen constructive partnerships at sea. He added that “dialogue on legal aspects of critical maritime issues will meaningfully increase intra-regional trust and confidence to maintain rule-based order according to effective implementation of the Law of the Sea.”

H.E. OTAKA Masato, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, said: “Japan promotes a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), which upholds freedom and the rule of law. Japan highly values increased engagement of the EU in the Indo-Pacific. The Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership adopted in November 2024 aims to further develop and strengthen our security cooperation with the EU and reinforces our collective weight to foster peace and security. As evidenced by this seminar, it also offers an excellent platform to enhance dialogues, exchange views and share respective assessments with partner countries in the region on maritime security.”

EU action in maritime security and rule of law at sea:

The EU currently conducts 3 naval operations (Atalanta, Irini, Aspides) with one common purpose: respect for the rule of law at sea.

EU projects to foster collaboration in maritime security include CRIMARIO II, ESIWA+ and Global Port Safety, all aimed at strengthening respect for the rule of law. 

About the EU’s ESIWA+ project: 

ESIWA+ contributes to the EU’s security and defence cooperation with the Indo-Pacific by organising activities in four thematic areas: counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management/addressing hybrid threats, cyber security, and maritime security. The project is co-funded by the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instruments, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. ESIWA+ is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Expertise France.

About UNCLOS:

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often considered as “the constitution of the ocean”, is the international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. As of October 2024, 169 states and the European Union are parties, according to the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the United Nations.

You can download the press release in PDF below: