Closing date for applications is 29 March 2020 for PhD scholarships at the World Maritime University on Marine Debris and Sargassum Threats in the Eastern Caribbean Region (“Closing the Circle” Programme). The research will focus on three interconnected, holistic and multidisciplinary research themes: 1) Science and technology; 2) Blue / Green Economics; and 3) Societal awareness. Adaptive marine spatial planning is considered as a cross-cutting theme for all of the research themes. The terms of reference are available here.
Monthly Archives: February 2020
Call for Papers: Environmental Law and Governance
The Strathclyde Centre for Environmental Law & Governance (SCELG) shall host the VIII Strathclyde Postgraduate Colloquium on Environmental Law and Governance, 19 June 2020, at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, United Kingdom). Abstracts (including those addressing oceans law) are welcome until 31 March 2020.
For further information see here.
Call for Papers: 11th Annual Conference of AsianSIL-JP
The Japan Chapter of the Asian Society of International Law (AsianSIL-JP) shall host their 11th Annual Conference, with the theme, Whither Eastern Asian Liberals?: The Aspirations and Anxieties of International Law in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, 12 July 2020 at Yokohama National University (Yokohama, Japan). Abstracts, including those focused on law of the sea, are welcome until 29 February 2020.
For more information see the call for papers.
Call for Papers: Sustainable Europe and its Global Reach
The Maastricht Centre for European Law shall host a workshop, entitled, Sustainable Europe and its Global Reach, 15-16 October 2020 at Maastricht University (Maastricht , The Netherlands). Abstracts are welcome until 31 May 2020.
For further information, see here.
Call for Contributions: Climate Justice Symposium
Völkerrechtsblog shall host a symposium entitled, Climate Justice, in May 2020. Given the effects already being felt on the marine environment and related societies, numerous contributions from the perspective of the law of the sea would be suitable. Submissions are welcome until 31 March 2020.
For further information see here.
Filed under Calls
Call for abstracts: Power Politics of Nature
Deadline for submission of abstracts is 16 March 2020 with the European International Studies Association (EISA) for the 2020 Pan-European International Studies Conference. This year’s edition overarching theme is Power Politics of Nature, which features a thematic session entitled Politics of Ocean and Polar Regions. The session shall include panels on EU maritime security and governance, on the politics of global ocean waterways, on membership, authority and change in ocean governance institutions, and on the governance on regional marine ecosystems. The Conference takes place on 16-19 September 2020, at Msida, University of Malta. More information is available here.
Vacancy: PhD fellowships at the Arctic University of Norway
Closing date for applications is 1 April 2020 for two doctoral fellowships at the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS), Arctic University of Norway (Tromsø). Position #1 focuses on sovereignty and common interests: the candidate is expected to analyse how sovereignty and other derived concepts both obstruct and provide solutions to the challenges to the oceans and their governance. Position #2 focuses on the legal framework for oceans commons: the candidate is expected to discuss whether the Common Heritage of Mankind and freedoms of the high seas provide adequate basis for protecting the marine environment and whether they provide for equity and justice. More information is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Vacancy: postdoctoral fellowships at Stockholm University
Closing date for applications is 29 February 2020 for two postdoctoral fellowships in ocean governance at the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), Stockholm University (Sweden). The candidates are expected to contribute to two ongoing projects at the SRC: the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship initiative (SeaBOS) and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA). The positions are for two years, full time. More information is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Call for Papers: Challenges for Law and Development – Responses
The Law and Development Research Network shall hold its fifth annual conference, entitled, Challenges for Law and Development: Responses, 21-23 September 2020, at Nelson Mandela University (Port Elizabeth, South Africa). Law of the sea scholars may be interested in track 2. Submissions are welcome until 9 March 2020.
For more information see the call for papers and website.
Symposium: Flag State Responsibilities and the future of Article 91 of UNCLOS
The International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) and the World Maritime University (WMU) shall organize a Symposium (co-hosted by IMO and ITLOS), entitled, flag State responsibilities and the future of article 91 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 5 March 2020 at IMO Headquarters (London, UK).
For further information see here.
Filed under Events
Vacancy: PhD research fellowship at the University of Oslo
Closing date for applications is 18 March 2020 for a PhD Research Fellowship at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, University of Oslo (Norway). The project designated for the PhD Research Fellow will be a part of and contribute towards the goals of the larger project Norwegian CCS Research Center (NCCS). The PhD Research Fellow will participate in a work package that aims to investigate legal issues related to the Carbon Capture and Storage value chain. The position is for three years, full time. More information is available here.
Filed under Vacancies
Conference: Élévation du niveau de la mer et droit international
The Centre de Droit Maritime et Océanique shall host a conference, entitled, Élévation du niveau de la mer et droit international: de l’adaptation à l’action, 16 June 2020 at the University of Nantes (Nantes, France).
For further information see here and the draft programme.
Filed under Events
Conference: Persistent and Emerging Challenges in International Fisheries Law
The University of the Faroe Islands and the Law of the Sea Institute of Iceland shall host a conference, entitled, Persistent and Emerging Challenges in International Fisheries Law, 10 – 12 September 2020 at the University of the Faroe Islands (Kongshøll, Faroe Islands).
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
Conference: The Seas as a Space for Cooperation and Conflict
The German Association for East European Studies (DGO) shall host a conference, entitled, The Seas as a Space for Cooperation and Conflict, 5–6 March 2020 at Körber-Stiftung (Hamburg, Germany).
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
WTO: Japan initiates second complaint on Korean shipbuilding
Japan has initiated a second World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute complaint regarding Korean support for shipbuilders. Japan has requested WTO dispute consultations with Korea regarding alleged subsidies provided by the Korean government to its shipbuilding industry. The request is the second filed by Japan concerning support measures for Korea’s shipbuilders. Japan initiated its first WTO complaint in November 2018.
Japan claims the challenged measures, which include funds, loans, guarantees, insurance and other financing, are inconsistent with the WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994. Japan’s request was circulated to WTO members on 10 February 2020. This request for consultations is available here.
Filed under International Organizations
Russia: Protest of Norway’s Svalbard Fisheries Protection Zone
On 4 February 2020 the Russian Foreign Minister sent a message to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 100th anniversary of the Spitsbergen Treaty. The letter raises numerous ‘concerns’ including “the unlawfulness of Norway’s fisheries protection zone” and requests further bilateral consultations.
For further information see MID Press Release № 180-04-02-2020.
Filed under State Practice
ITLOS – Nippon Foundation Capacity Building and Training Programme 2020-2021
The ITLOS-Nippon Foundation Capacity-Building and Training Programme on Dispute Settlement under UNCLOS, July 2020 – March 2021, to be held at the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Hamburg, Germany), is welcoming applications until 3 April 2020.
Filed under Courses
IFLOS Summer Academy 2020
The 14th session of the IFLOS Summer Academy ‘Promoting Ocean Governance and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes’ shall be held from 9 August to 4 September 2020. The event takes place at the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), in Hamburg (Germany).
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (LL.M. or equivalent) and have advanced knowledge of public international law, the law of the sea or maritime law. The deadline for the reception of applications is 10 April 2020 (postal). For more information, see here.
Filed under Courses
UN HR Committee: Views Concerning Communication No. 2728/2016 (Ioane Teitiota)
On 7 January 2020 the UN Human Rights Committee issued its Views adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 2728/2016 (adopted 24 October 2019). Communication No. 2728/2016 was submitted by Ioane Teitiota, claiming New Zealand violated his right to life under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 6(1), by removing him to Kiribati in September 2015.
Concerning admissibility:
“[T]he Committee considers that the author sufficiently demonstrated, for the purpose of admissibility, that due to the impact of climate change and associated sea level rise on the habitability of the Republic of Kiribati and on the security situation in the islands, he faced as a result of the State party’s decision to remove him to the Republic of Kiribati a real risk of impairment to his right to life under article 6 of the Covenant” (para. 8.6).
Concerning the merits:
“The Committee is of the view that without robust national and international efforts, the effects of climate change in receiving states may expose individuals to a violation of their rights under articles 6 or 7 of the Covenant, thereby triggering the non-refoulement obligations of sending states. Furthermore, given that the risk of an entire country becoming submerged under water is such an extreme risk, the conditions of life in such a country may become incompatible with the right to life with dignity before the risk is realized.
9.12 In the present case, the Committee accepts the author’s claim that sea level rise is likely to render the Republic of Kiribati uninhabitable. However, it notes that the timeframe of 10 to 15 years, as suggested by the author, could allow for intervening acts by the Republic of Kiribati, with the assistance of the international community, to take affirmative measures to protect and, where necessary, relocate its population […] the facts before it do not permit it to conclude that the author’s removal to the Republic of Kiribati violated his rights under article 6 (1) of the Covenant” (paras. 9.11-9.12; 10).
Vasilka Sancin and Duncan Laki Muhumuza each annexed individual dissenting opinions concerning the burden of proof and access to drinking water.
Filed under Jurisprudence
Workshop: Utilization of genetic resources and the Nagoya Protocol
The UVIGO Marine Research Centre (CIM-UVIGO) is holding a workshop entitled: Utilization of genetic resources and the Nagoya Protocol: legal framework and practical cases of application in the marine field (Utilización de recursos genéticos y Protocolo de Nagoya: marco legal y casos prácticos de aplicación en el ámbito marino). This workshop is part of the EBB project (European Blue Biobank), aimed at facilitating access to marine biological resources. The event is set to happen on 14 February 2020, in Vigo (Spain). Registration forms and the program of the event (in Spanish) can be found here.
Filed under Events
ISA SG Award for Excellence in Deep Sea Research
The International Seabed Authority’s Secretary-General Award for Excellence in Deep Sea Research is intended to recognize and encourage the achievements of young researchers from developing countries who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the deep sea environment or to the development of environmentally sustainable regulatory frameworks. Nominations and applications are open until 29 April 2020.
Filed under Calls
Conference: International Ocean Governance Forum
The European Commission and the European External Action Service shall host an event, entitled, International Ocean Governance Forum, 22-24 April 2020, in Brussels, Belgium. A high level event is followed by 3 thematic working groups, namely, (1) Improving the international ocean governance framework, (2) Reducing pressure on oceans and seas and creating the conditions for a sustainable, and (3) Strengthening the ocean knowledge system.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
De Maribus 