2026 Session

The 60th session of the International Law Seminar took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 29 June to 17 July 2026, during the 77th session of the International Law Commission. The Legal Office of the United Nations Office at Geneva was responsible for the administration and organization of the Seminar. Michael Schoiswohl, served as its Director, assisted by Vinuon In. Vittorio Mainetti, international law expert and consultant, acted as Coordinator, assisted by Aure Allexandre, Assistant-Coordinator, and Adrien Aurejac, Legal intern, who was responsible for the development and realization of the Seminar’s 60th anniversary commemorative project. This year, 23 participants from diverse nationalities representing all regional groups participated in the Seminar. 

 

Sessions with the International Law Commission

 

Participants attended multiple sessions of the International Law Commission throughout the three weeks of the programme. This year, participants had the opportunity to hear the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Penelope Ridings, introduce her first report on the topic “Due diligence in international law”, the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Mārtiņš Paparinskis, introduce his first report on the topic “Compensation for the damage caused by internationally wrongful acts” and the Chair of the Working Group on Succession of States in respect of State responsibility, Mr. Bimal Patel, introduce the report of the Working Group. They also had the opportunity to attend a session with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Participants also took part in a joint session with the International Law Commission, marking the commemoration of its 60th anniversary. Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, Chair of the Commission, Michael Schoiswohl, Director of the International Law Seminar, Vittorio Mainetti, Coordinator of the Seminar, Keun-Gwan Lee, Commission member, and a participant from each regional group on behalf of all the participants attending the Seminar, addressed the Commission. Former participants of the Seminar who are now serving as members of the Commission, namely George Rodrigo Bandeira Galindo, Claudio Grossman Guiloff, Ivon Mingashang, and Patrícia Galvão Teles, also took the floor to share their experience and to reflect on the significant contribution of the Seminar to their professional development and careers.

 

Lectures & Briefings

 

During the three-week programme, participants benefited from specialized lectures and briefings by several Commission members, UN staff, and professors from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies on the following topics: 

  • The work of the International Law Commission (Giuseppe Nesi)
  • Simulating the work of the International Law Commission (Keun-Gwan Lee)
  • Subsidiary means for the determination of rules of international law (Charles Chernor Jalloh)
  • Immunity of State officials in respect of State responsibility (Claudio Grossman Guiloff)
  • Succession of States in respect of State responsibility (Bimal N. Patel)
  • Prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea (Louis Savadogo)
  • Non-legally binding international agreements (Mathias Forteau)
  • Compensation for the damage caused by internationally wrongful acts (Mārtiņš Paparinskis)
  • General principles of law (Marcelo Vázquez-Bermúdez)
  • Settlement of disputes to which international organizations are parties (August Reinisch)
  • Due diligence in international law (Penelope Ridings)
  • The work of the Codification Division (Arnold Pronto).

These lectures were complemented by a round table on “Climate Change before International Courts and Tribunals: Reflections for the International Law Commission” (Roberto Virzo, Makane Moïse Mbengue, Nilüfer Oral, Claudio Grossman Guiloff, Mara Tignino).

 

Simulation Exercise, Research Forum, Book Launch & Visits

 

For the second time in the Seminar’s history, participants took part in a simulation exercise organized and chaired by Keun-Gwan Lee, member of the Commission, providing an opportunity to experience the working methods and proceedings of the International Law Commission. The exercise focused on the topic “Non-legally binding international agreements,” currently under consideration by the Commission. 

Participants attended the launch of two publications: International Law for Diplomats, organized by the United Nations Library and Archives Geneva, and The Cambridge Handbook on the League of Nations and International Law. A presentation of the United Nations Library and of the premises of UNOG was also organized. The programme also featured an International Law Research Forum during which participants presented their own research to their peers.

Finally, participants visited the International Labour Organization (ILO), where they were briefed on ILO standard-setting and related developments. They also had the opportunity to visit the Geneva City Hall, including the historic Alabama Room, as well as the premises of the cantonal authorities, guided by the Protocol Service of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

 

Additional information on previous editions of the Seminar, including programmes, participants, and other related materials, is available upon request from the International Law Seminar Secretariat at ils@un.org. 

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