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Marine Environmental Science Research & Science Policy and Diplomacy in a Hot Zone: The West Philippine Sea | A Forum

Science Policy Diplomacy Hot Zone

The Conservation and Biodiversity Program of UP CIDS is launching the MariTESS (Maritime Talks on Environment, Science, and Security) Forum, with a hybrid forum, “Science, Policy and Diplomacy in a Hot Zone: A Focus on the West Philippine Sea,” on 22 August 2024, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, via Zoom and at the AV Room, UP National Engineering Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The event is free and open all, but slots are first-come, first-served, but participants are encouraged to pre-register below.

RATIONALE

This forum look into the nexus of marine science and fisheries with maritime and national security where we could begin identifying possible policy and organizational gaps. It considers the strengthening of evidence synthesis with the available information to provide a closer look at science policy and diplomacy options for hot zones. In particular, the forum looks to uncover gaps with existing national policy for inter-agency cooperation in areas of research, monitoring, enforcement and securing the Philippine Seas.

In light of regional agreements and multilateral nation-state dynamics in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of the continental basin known by many as the South China Sea, the forum also looks to identify policy options based on science cooperation to ease rising tensions in maritime ‘hot’ zones. We lead with the data in the WPS as this has proven to be the area of greatest international concern and strong national interest.

PRESENTATIONS

  • Postnormal Intelligence: A Thematic Background

Benjamin Vallejo Jr., Ph. D.
Convenor, Conservation and Biodiversity Program Convenor
Professor of Environmental Science, UP Diliman QC

  • The Proposed Spratly Islands Marine Park: A History (via Zoom)

John W. McManus, Ph. D.
Professor of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami
Former Senior Scientist and Leader of WorldFish (previously ICLARM) Aquatic Environments Program

  • Scientific Cooperation: West Philippine Sea Fisheries

Mudjekeewis Santos, Ph. D.
Scientist V, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
Academician, National Academy of Science and Technology

  • Strategic Matters and the Philippine Coast Guard

CG Captain Noriel M Ramos, M. Sc.
Acting Deputy Director, Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center

  • Civilian Security and Ocean Diplomacy

Hon. Jesus “Gary” Domingo, Ph. D.
Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs

Welcome remarks and introductions will be given by moderator, Rodrigo Angelo Ong, MD, FICS, DipBWMgt. He is Professorial Lecturer 2, former and Chief Science Research Specialist, Division Chief, Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care – Research and Development Division.

QUERIES AND ORGANIZER INFO

For queries, please email [email protected]. View the venue’s vicinity map.

The webinar is organized by the Conservation and Biodiversity Program of the University of the Philippines’ Center for Integrative and Development Studies, the university’s policy research unit. It is one of Research Programs of UP CIDS. Visit the UP CIDS Database and download free policy papers.