Registration

Opening Remarks

• H.E. Federico Villegas, Chair, 2023 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapon (Pre-recorded Video)

• H.E. Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. High Representative for Disarmament (Pre-recorded Video)

• H.E. Enrique Manalo, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs

• H.E. Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau Senior, Vice President & Minister of Justice, Palau

Group photo
Coffee break

Session 1:
What is autonomy in weapons and warfare

This panel will set the scene by addressing the basics. Experts in the field will provide participants with an overview of current levels of technological development in the area of artificial intelligence, and how its widespread application in weapon systems could revolutionize warfare.

Moderated by Dr. Tamara Enomoto and Dr. Diah Kusumaningrum

Speakers:

• Prof. Toby Walsh FAA FACM FRSN, Chief Scientist, AI Institute, University of South Wales

• Peter Kua, Quandatics AI

• Mitzi Austero, Nonviolence International Southeast Asia (NISEA)

Lunch break

Session 2:
What are the risks and challenges posed by weapons systems?

Global and regional discussions have affirmed that emerging technologies in the area of autonomous weapon systems pose, among others, legal, ethical, humanitarian, and security risks and challenges. This panel will unpack challenges related to compliance with International Humanitarian Law, the ethical implications of allowing machines and algorithms to undertake decisions involving human life or death, or possible arms race and strategic competitions.

Moderated by Alimzhan Akhmetov and Dr. Chiew Ping Hoo

Speakers:

• Judge Raul Pangalangan, Professor of Law, University of the Philippines
  Former Judge, International Criminal Court (The Hague)

• Taniel Yusef, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, Cambridge University 

• Shahrukh Khan, Deputy Director of Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan

• Bonnie Docherty, Director of the Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative
  Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic

Coffee break

Session 3:
How can we address the risks and challenges posed by autonomous weapons?

There have been efforts to future-proof the global governance regime to account for rapidly evolving technologies in the area of autonomous weapon systems. They range from voluntary measures to legally binding instruments. This panel will examine the pros and cons of each of these options.

Moderated by Jan Michael B. Gomez, DFA UNIO, and Prof. Richard Heydarian

Speakers:

• Dr. Rain Liivoja, Deputy Dean, University of Queensland Law School

• Georgia Hinds, Legal Adviser, Arms & Conduct of Hostilities Unit - Legal Division, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

• Jonelle John S. Domingo, Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines

• Tiana Melita Desker, Director for Strategic Futures and Emerging Technologies, Defense Policy Office, Ministry of Defense of Singapore

Welcome Dinner (Legazpi Ballroom)

Session 5:
Opening Plenary

Chaired by Fred Lubang, Nonviolence International Southeast Asia

Session 6:
Breakout Sessions: Risks and Challenges and Way Forward for AWS in the Indo-Pacific Communities

• How do the risks and challenges posed by autonomous weapon systems manifest concretely in the region?

• Are there any other risks and challenges specific to Indo-Pacific communities that have not been discussed?

• How can each country and the region as a whole effectively address these risks and challenges? Are there existing regional mechanisms where these challenges can be addressed?

Coffee break

Closing Plenary

Chaired by Fred Lubang, Nonviolence International Southeast Asia

Final Synthesis

Karla Mae Pabelina
Senior Foreign Affairs Research Specialist Foreign Service Institute

Closing Remarks

Hon. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela
Assistant Secretary for United Nations and International Organizations Department of Foreign Affairs

Lunch break