FRANKFURT AM MAIN, 16 October 2026 — The 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award was commemorated through a panel discussion entitled “Anchored in Law: The Enduring Role of International Law in Times of Geopolitical Tension — Lessons from the South China Sea,” held on 16 October 2026 at the headquarters of the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). The event was co-organized by the Philippine Embassy in Berlin and PRIF, and facilitated by the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Frankfurt.
The discussion brought together distinguished legal and strategic experts to examine the enduring significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award, the role of international law in managing geopolitical tensions, and the implications of maritime security for Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
The panel featured Dr. Jay L. Batongbacal, Director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS); Prof. Dr. Thilo Marauhn, Professor of Public Law and International Law at Justus Liebig University Giessen and Head of PRIF’s International Law Research Group; and Dr. Moritz Brake, Senior Fellow at the University of Bonn’s Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) and a reserve officer in the German Navy. Dr. Pascal Abb, Coordinator of PRIF’s Research Group on Regime Competition and Senior Researcher specializing in Chinese foreign policy and regional dynamics, moderated the discussion.
The panel underscored the enduring value of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in establishing a rules-based framework for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. While acknowledging the limitations of international legal mechanisms in enforcing their decisions, the experts emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Award remains a significant legal reference that clarifies maritime entitlements and strengthens the basis for diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of sustained international support for the rules-based maritime order. Panelists noted that Germany and the European Union can contribute to maritime stability in the Indo-Pacific through clear diplomatic support for UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, as well as through initiatives that strengthen the capacity and resilience of regional states.
Beyond regional security, the panel emphasized the global economic implications of developments in the South China Sea. As a critical corridor for international shipping and global trade, the waterway is vital to economic stability in both Asia and Europe. Upholding freedom of navigation and respect for international law was therefore presented as a shared interest extending beyond the immediate region.
Founded in 1970, PRIF is an independent research institute based in Frankfurt am Main and a member of the Leibniz Association. It conducts interdisciplinary research on the causes of international and intrastate conflicts, with particular expertise in international law, arms control, and conflict management. END
