Navigating Rough Waters: An UNCLOS Perspective

GAIA held a lunch seminar on 13 March 2021 at Co-Lab, Kiulap, Brunei to address current maritime concerns in the South China Sea, which have come to fore in light of Brunei’s ASEAN Chairmanship. 

Nadeeya Salleh delivered a brief presentation which highlighted how UNCLOS sits in the general framework of international law, followed by a discussion on the rights and entitlements of features within UNCLOS, ending with a look how these principles were applied in the Philippines and China arbitration over features in the South China Sea.

Nadeeya Salleh delivers on UNCLOS during the Luncheon Seminar

Around 25 participants attended the lunch seminar, comprising representatives from Government agencies, private agencies, local non-government organisations, students, and the Generation GAIA youths from the Youth Series Programme. Participants also had the opportunity following the presentation to ask questions and contribute comments, which was followed by a networking session. 

Participants participating in discussion during the Seminar

Nadeeya Salleh has a keen interest in disputes over maritime boundaries, which began during her time as in-house counsel with the Brunei National Petroleum Company (PetroleumBRUNEI). She has an LL.M with a specialisation in International Law from Columbia University, New York and is also GAIA’s Youth Series Director. 

We are grateful for the strong turnout at the event and thank all our attendees for their support. GAIA will be running more lunch seminars as a series addressing pertinent topics to complement Brunei’s role as ASEAN Chairman for 2021.