Article 123 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea obliges states bordering semi-enclosed seas, such as the South China Sea, to cooperate on marine environmental protection. This reflects the interconnected nature of semi-enclosed sea ecosystems, where currents transport marine life and pollution across national boundaries. Additionally, Article 192 of UNCLOS imposes a general duty on all states to “protect and preserve the marine environment.” This session will address the following questions:

• What are the key factors contributing to marine environmental degradation in Southeast Asian waters?
• What ASEAN mechanisms exist to address marine environmental protection? Are these mechanisms effective? What improvements are needed to enable ASEAN institutions to address the root causes of environmental degradation?
• How can ASEAN member states fully leverage the Marine Scientific Research (MSR) regime enshrined in UNCLOS to enhance marine environmental protection measures?
• Can hydrocarbon resources in the South China Sea help achieve energy security for Southeast Asia?