The Philippines has been elected Vice President of the 63rd Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), held from September 7 to 12, 2025, in Kampala. Philippine non-resident Ambassador to Uganda Marie Charlotte G. Tang, based in Nairobi, represented the country in this leadership role throughout the week-long session.

Uganda’s Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka presided over the gathering as Session President, with AALCO Secretary-General Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol also in attendance.

The session convened delegations from AALCO’s 49 Member States, alongside legal experts, diplomats, and representatives from observer states and international organizations. Discussions tackled key issues in international law, including maritime governance, environmental sustainability, trade and investment, outer space, cyberspace, and migrant worker protection.

Ambassador Tang welcomed the Philippines’ election to the vice presidency, calling it a reflection of the country’s steadfast commitment to the rule of law, multilateralism, and South-South cooperation. She underscored Manila’s intent to deepen its legal and diplomatic engagement with African nations, noting the shared perspectives between Asia and Africa that enrich global legal discourse.

The Philippine delegation also included Atty. Melissa Anne M. Telan, Second Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and Liaison Officer to AALCO, and Atty. Mia Cielo Mendoza, Legal Officer at the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi.

During the session, the Philippines reaffirmed its support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), describing it as the “constitution of the oceans.” The delegation also highlighted climate action as both a legal and existential priority, and shared insights on trade, space law, and migrant worker protection—a topic the Philippines first introduced to AALCO’s agenda when it hosted the session in 1996. Atty. Telan also presented the report of the Sub-Committee on the Scale of Assessed Contributions as its Chairperson.

Founded in 1956 in the spirit of the Bandung Conference, AALCO serves as a vital intergovernmental forum for Asian and African nations to collaborate on international legal matters. The Philippines rejoined the organization in 2019 to bolster its legal diplomacy and foster interregional cooperation.