Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine government pledged additional support for international law education after Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro presented Manila’s voluntary contribution to the scholarship programs of The Hague Academy of International Law during her official visit to the Netherlands.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines donated $15,000 (P923,000) to support the Academy’s scholarship initiatives as Manila and The Hague commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
The contribution was formally received by The Hague Academy Secretary General Jean-Marc Thouvenin.
In her remarks, Lazaro described the Academy as a “bastion of international law” and expressed hope that it would continue helping train young Filipino lawyers.
“We appreciate the long and fruitful partnership between the Philippines and The Hague Academy,” Lazaro said.
Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya said the contribution reflects Manila’s support for international law and legal scholarship.
“The contribution to the Academy’s Scholarship program is an affirmation of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ strong support to the Academy’s mission as an institution for the promotion of peace through law,” Malaya said.
He also highlighted the growing cooperation between Philippine institutions and the Academy, including advanced international law courses conducted in Manila and Tagaytay for Filipino judges, lawyers, and ASEAN magistrates in recent years.
According to the DFA, the Philippines has now made voluntary contributions to the Academy three times in recent years, helping fund scholarship recipients for the 2024-2025 academic intake.
Thouvenin, for his part, underscored the importance of international law amid growing global tensions.
“International law is a compass that shows the point of departure of where solutions must be sought,” he said.
