The head of the world’s ocean law tribunal says countries need to team up to fight climate change and protect the seas.
Speaking in Manila, Judge Tomas Heidar stressed that no country can tackle these problems alone. His visit marks the first time a president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has come to the Philippines.
The tribunal recently weighed in on how countries should handle climate threats to oceans. This comes after small island nations, worried about rising seas, asked for legal guidance in 2022.
During his Philippines trip, Heidar spoke at several top institutions, including the University of the Philippines. He focused on how ocean law and environmental protection work together.
This matters deeply for the Philippines, which has one of the world’s longest coastlines. Rising seas and more acidic oceans threaten its coral reefs, fish, and coastal communities.
Philippine climate chief Robert Borje says the country is using these legal guidelines to shape its climate plans. Environment Secretary Maria Loyzaga adds that protecting oceans and fighting climate change are now the biggest challenges facing governments worldwide.
The Climate Change Commission plans to keep working with international partners to stay ahead on ocean and climate issues.
