President Marcos and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday, April 18, discussed developments within the South China Sea and other issues in the region, including those across Taiwan Strait, in the Middle East, and between Ukraine and Russia.

During their bilateral talk in Manila, Marcos and Luxon, who is on an official visit, shared serious concern over what is happening in the South China Sea and stressed the need to uphold international law and the freedom of navigation and overflight.

They reaffirmed the need for all states to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes and reiterated that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, according to their joint statement.

New Zealand recognized the 2016 arbitral award, which is final and binding, just like the Philippines.

"The two leaders reaffirmed that all parties must fully implement the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and reiterated their support for ASEAN-led efforts for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that upholds the legitimate rights and interests of all parties and is consistent with UNCLOS," their statement read.

Marcos and Luxon stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across Taiwan Strait and noted the concerning "dire humanitarian situation and tragic loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian life following the 7 October terrorist attacks."

"Prime Minister Luxon offered his condolences for the Filipino migrant workers that lost their lives, and expressed sympathy for those that remain captive," the statement read.

The leaders then called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow urgent delivery of aid as well as called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

"The leaders also shared the international community’s serious concerns about broader regional escalation in the Middle East, particularly Iran’s recent strikes on Israel, and urged maximum restraint on all sides," the statement read.

Regarding the year-long Ukraine-Russia conflict, they noted Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, "noting it was a clear violation of the principles of the UN Charter, and that it has now been over two years since it began."

"They reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, recalling the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which reaffirms the principle that all States shall settle their disputes through peaceful means," the statement read.

"They reiterated their support for a comprehensive, just and durable peace in Ukraine. They acknowledged the global impact of the war, including on food and energy security in the Indo-Pacific region," it added.