A hybrid seminar on maritime law and security co-organised by the European Union, Thailand and Japan brought together law enforcement officials, diplomats, legal scholars and security practitioners in Bangkok to discuss strengthening the rule of law at sea and addressing contemporary challenges in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

The two-day event, held on March twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth, was part of the EU’s Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia & the Indo-Pacific project and focused on supporting effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which establishes the legal framework for maritime rights and obligations worldwide.

Participants also joined virtually, representing a broad constellation of regional partners from Southeast Asia and beyond. 

Thai officials emphasised the foundational role that UNCLOS plays in governing rights and obligations at sea, including securing sea lines of communication and advancing sustainable use of maritime resources, while also contributing to regional trust-building through dialogue on legal aspects of maritime governance.

Representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam shared insights and practical experience addressing transnational maritime legal issues, including emerging challenges posed by new technologies.

Japan’s diplomatic leadership underscored its commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that upholds freedom of navigation, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes. 

European Union delegates highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation and legal capacity-building, noting the EU’s active engagement in maritime security operations and projects aimed at reinforcing respect for international law at sea.

The seminar additionally provided legal analysis and practical tools for officials whose operational duties involve applying UNCLOS in complex maritime environments.

Thailand’s role as co-host reaffirmed its strategic commitment to advancing maritime legal norms and enhancing cooperation with partners in both the ASEAN region and wider Indo-Pacific. 

The seminar fostered dialogue among legal experts and practitioners and reinforced shared priorities for robust maritime governance, including upholding international law, supporting sustainable development goals in maritime sectors and maintaining open, inclusive regional architectures for constructive partnerships at sea.

As nations in the Indo-Pacific face evolving security dynamics, such multilateral exchanges are expected to strengthen collective capacity to safeguard the rule of law on the world’s oceans.