Mauritius: The Philippines is rallying maritime nations to maintain "vigilance against efforts to undermine international law," particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Speaking at the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius on April 11, Foreign Affairs spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. emphasized the interconnection between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, urging nations to enhance cooperation in promoting a rules-based maritime order.

According to Philippines News Agency, Villanueva highlighted that challenges at sea have "transcended" traditional geographic boundaries-ranging from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, piracy, and environmental degradation to the accelerated impacts of climate change on states. He stated, "[N]o national effort, however robust, can succeed in isolation. The maritime challenges that we face yesterday, today, and tomorrow will persist to be transboundary by nature." Villanueva's speech, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, underscored the necessity for cooperation grounded in shared norms and mutual trust.

For the Philippines, Villanueva reiterated the government's adherence to the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, describing them as the "twin anchors" of Philippine maritime foreign policy. He noted, "The Indian Ocean and the South China Sea are linked not only by trade routes, but by shared challenges and shared stakes. The choices we make-individually and collectively-will determine whether these waters remain zones of cooperation or become arenas of contestation."

Villanueva affirmed the Philippines' commitment "to working with all our partners to uphold a maritime order that is lawful, peaceful, and sustainable, one that ensures the continued flow of commerce, the protection of our marine environment, and the prosperity of our peoples." The conference brought together at least 300 representatives from 33 states to address pressing regional issues and promote regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Participants included high-level officials from foreign ministries, regional, and international organizations from the Indian Ocean region and beyond.