MANILA — The Foreign Service Institute (FSI), through its Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS), convened a roundtable discussion on 28 November 2025 to evaluate current international research networks on the South China Sea.

The event assessed the status of collaboration among marine scientists and policy researchers focusing on the region. Speakers included Dr. Michael P. Atrigenio, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP MSI); Dr. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Full Professor at De La Salle University’s Department of Biology; and Atty. Jacqueline F. Espenilla, Assistant Professor at the UP College of Law.

Dr. Atrigenio highlighted several collaborative science initiatives, including the Joint Oceanographic and Marine Scientific Research Expedition (JOMSRE), the DENR-BMB Integrated Research for Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration in the West Philippine Sea (BioConSeq-WPS), and the DENR-PIRS (Pag-asa Island Research Station) Project. UP MSI is also involved in the DOST Re-Invest Project, which focuses on the inventory and valuation of coastal and marine resources in the West Philippine Sea.

Drawing on his experience in a Singapore-led study of reef corals, Dr. Licuanan noted that joint projects help build trust and confidence among scientists, allowing for more effective research on technical issues such as coral protection and marine conservation.

Atty. Espenilla pointed out that no formal international research networks exist for legal and policy issues in the South China Sea. While informal knowledge sharing occurs through Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues, differing government positions hinder deeper collaboration. She suggested that focusing on shared concerns, such as illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, could create opportunities for a legal-policy research network among like-minded littoral states.

The roundtable brought together participants from FSI, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), other government agencies, and think tanks.

FSI serves as the training and research arm of the DFA, established under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and expanded by Republic Act No. 7157. Its board is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with members including the Civil Service Commission chairperson, FSI Director General, and the presidents of the University of the Philippines and the Development Academy of the Philippines.