The Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam is seeking applicants for the Young Leaders Program 2021 under the framework of the 13th South China Sea International Conference, themed, Looking Back to a Brighter Future, 17-20 November 2021, with a follow-up phase until 15 December 2021. Applications are welcome until 11 November 2021. For more information see here.
Author Archives: A. N. Honniball
Vacancy: Legal Advisor to FFA
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is advertising for a full-time Legal Advisor, to be based in Honiara (Solomon Islands). Applications close 8 November 2021. For more information see here.
Filed under Vacancies
Vacancies: Four Malaysia-Australia Maritime Exchange Virtual Fellowships
The Malaysia Institute of Australian National University has announced four DFAT-funded Malaysia-Australia Maritime Exchange Virtual Visiting Research Fellowships, to begin January 2022 and address “research on key maritime issues of interest to Australia, Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region”. This includes two Malaysian-based Fellows (to be hosted virtually by an Australian Institution) and two Australian-based Fellows (to be hosted virtually by a Malaysian institution). Applications are welcome until 30 October 2021. For more information and to apply see here.
Filed under Vacancies
Symposium: Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific – Upholding the Rule of Law
The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) and the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia will host a symposium, entitled, Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Upholding the Rule of Law, 8-10 November 2021, online (Zoom). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Le implicazioni dell’innalzamento del livello del mare sul diritto internazionale
The Interdepartmental Research Center on the Adriatic and the Mediterranean of the University of Macerata (CiRAM) will host a webinar, entitled, Le implicazioni dell’innalzamento del livello del mare sul diritto internazionale/Les implications de l’elevation du niveau de la mer pour le droit international, 12 November 2021, online (Blackboard Collaborate). For more information see here and the programme.
Filed under Events
Webinars: Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships & UNCLOS
The NUS Centre for International Law is hosting a series of webinars on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the first webinar, entitled, MASS and the Marine Environment, will take place 27 October 2021, online (Zoom). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Call for Evidence: UNCLOS – fit for purpose in the 21st century?
The International Relations and Defence Committee of the UK Parliament is undertaking an inquiry into the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), entitled, UNCLOS: fit for purpose in the 21st century?, including a call for written evidence concerning a series of questions posed by the Committee. Written evidence at this stage is welcome until 12 November 2021. The first oral evidence session will also take place 20 October 2021 and may be watched online.
For more information see the call for evidence.
Filed under Calls
Guest Lecture: The Dispute Settlement Regime in UNCLOS
The NUS Centre for International Law eAcademy 2021 shall host a guest lecture, entitled, The Dispute Settlement Regime in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, 20 October 2021, Online (Facebook). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Moot Court: NILOS Moot Court Competition 2022
The Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea (NILOS) has announced the third edition of the NILOS Moot Court Competition, with the international rounds scheduled to take place from 9-13 May 2022, online. The Competition Case is expected to be published 15 October 2021 and team registration (free of charge) is open until 15 December 2021. Registration for judges is expected to open soon.
Filed under Competitions
OSPAR: Designation of North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area
On 1 October 2021, OSPAR held a hybrid ministerial meeting hosted by the Government of Portugal (postponed from June 2020 due to the pandemic), the outcomes of which included a legally binding OSPAR Decision to establish the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin Marine Protected Area (NACES MPA). The NACES MPA (595,196 square km) is established in the high seas and seeks to protect a vitally important area for seabirds. For more information see here and here.
For other developments at OSPAR Ministerial 2021, including the adoption of the North-East Altantic Environment Strategy 2030, see here.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
Conference: Irregular Migrations in Europe – A Perspective from the Sea Basins
The Jean Monnet Network on Migration and Asylum Policies Systems shall host a conference, entitled, Irregular Migrations in Europe: A Perspective from the Sea Basins, 22 October 2021, in a hybrid format (MS Teams/University of A Coruña, Spain). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Conference: 14th Polar Law Symposium
The Polar Cooperation Research Centre (Kobe University, Japan), Polar Law Institute (University of Akureyri, Iceland), the Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law – Arctic Centre (University of Lapland, Finland) and the University of the Arctic and its Arctic Law Thematic Network (Finland) shall co-host the 14th Polar Law Symposium 2021, themed, The Blue Earth, from the Poles, through the Law, 21-23 November 2021, in a hybrid format (Online/Kobe University, Japan). For more information see the provisional program and registration.
Filed under Events
Basel Winter Arbitration School
Arbitration Lab will host the Basel Winter Arbitration School, 6-11 February 2022, at the Law Faculty of the University of Basel (Switzerland). The curriculum includes UNCLOS arbitration. Applications are welcome until 15 November 2021. For more information see here.
Filed under Courses
Webinar: Responsibility to the International Community for Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
The Cambridge International Law Journal–Lauterpacht Centre for International Law Annual Lecture 2020-2021, entitled, Responsibility to the International Community for Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction, will be held 29 October 2021, online (Zoom). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Calls: In/Ex-clusiveness of International Law
The European Society of International Law (ESIL) is hosting its 17th Annual Conference, themed, In/Ex-clusiveness of International Law, 1-3 September 2022, at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The main conference will be preceded by various workshops organised by the Society’s Interest Groups, 31 August-1 September 2022. Abstracts are welcome until 31 January 2022. For more information see here.
World Maritime Day 2021
This year’s World Maritime Day, themed, Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future, will include various webinars on 30 September 2021. IMO shall host a webinar, entitled, Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future; UNCTAD and ITF shall host a webinar, entitled, The Crewing Crisis: Seafarers concerns in times of the pandemic and beyond; and AIS Forum shall host a webinar, entitled, Connecting Maritime Governance with the Achievement of the SDGs in Archipelagic and Island States.
Filed under Events
AOSIS: Leaders’ Declaration 2021
On 22 September 2021 the Alliance of Small Islands (AOSIS), during a virtual AOSIS Leaders’ Summit, endorsed The Alliance of Small Islands Leaders’ Declaration 2021. The Leaders’ Declaration focuses on climate change, sustainable development and the ocean. This includes recognising states’ ocean-related responsibilities (preamble), the existing impacts of climate change on SIDS (para. 3), concerns over GHG emissions from shipping and the need for action (para. 15), the BBNJ Agreement process (paras. 39-40), fixed baselines and outer limits of maritime zones – once given due publicity (para. 41), marine plastic pollution –and more generally the need for a new legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution– (paras. 42-43) and enhancing technology transfer, scientific knowledge and recognition of traditional knowledge (para. 44).
Filed under State Practice
Calls: International Law and Technological Progress
The University of Aberdeen will host a conference, entitled, International Law and Technological Progress Conference 2022, 23-24 June 2022, in a hybrid format. Several law of the sea topics are included in the call, and one could envisage further suitable topics. Abstracts are welcome until 20 December 2021. For more information see here.
Ecuador: Preliminary Information submission to CLCS
On 20 September 2021 Ecuador submitted, in respect of three regions, its Preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). For more information see here.
Filed under International Organizations, State Practice
Webinar: The Ever-Expanding Remit of UNCLOS Tribunals
Rajah & Tann LLP, Fietta LLP, Duxton Hill Chambers, David Grief International Consultancy and the University of Sydney shall host a webinar, entitled, The Ever-Expanding Remit of UNCLOS Tribunals, 6 October 2021, via Zoom. for more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise
The University of Trento, Faculty of Law shall host a webinar, entitled, Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Legal Consequences from the Law of the Sea, Statehood and Affected Persons Perspectives, 1 October 2021, via Zoom. For more information see here and the programme.
Filed under Events
Webinars: MARIPOLDATA Ocean Seminar Series (Sept 21 – Jan 22)
The previously reported monthly webinars, MARIPOLDATA Ocean Seminar Series, hosted by the MARIPOLDATA research project, has released their programme for September 2021 – January 2022. The next event, entitled, Deep-Sea Mining and the International Seabed Authority: Recent Developments, key outstanding issues and contrasting narratives is scheduled for 29 September 2021. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Reconceptualizing the “Spaces” of International Law
Independent International Legal Advocates (IILA), together with the Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) Seminar at UCLA Law and the International Arbitration Group of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP, will host a seminar, entitled, Reconceptualizing the “Spaces” of International Law, 28 September 2021, via Zoom. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Vacancy: PhD Scholarship at the University of New South Wales
The Maritime Security Research Group in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra is currently advertising a PhD candidate position, including scholarship, entitled, Small States and Climate Change Litigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Application are welcome until 15 October 2021. For more information and how to apply see here.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinar: Science before International Tribunals – Deference of Distrust?
The Università di Milano and the Federal University of Minas Gerais shall host a webinar, entitled, Science before International Tribunals: Deference of Distrust?, 1 October 2021, via MS Teams. For more information see the programme and registration.
Filed under Events
Summer Academy on the Continental Shelf 2021
The Summer Academy on the Continental Shelf (SACS), organised by the University of the Faroe Islands and the African Institute on International Law, shall be held 12-18 December 2021 in Arusha, Tanzania. Applications are welcome until 1 October 2021.
Filed under Courses
Webinar: International Law and Rule of Law Approach in the Indo-Pacific Region
The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and the Embassy of Japan shall host a webinar, entitled, International Law and Rule of Law Approach in the Indo-Pacific Region, 28 September 2021, via Zoom. For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Vacancy: Research Fellow (postdoc) at the University of Wollongong
The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong (Australia) is currently seeking applicants for a postdoctorate position, entitled, ANCORS Ocean Nexus Fellow, funded by the Nippon Foundation’s Ocean Nexus Program. Applications are welcome until 14 October 2021.
For more information see here.
Filed under Vacancies
Vacancies: UN DOALOS Legal Officers
The Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations is currently advertising two positions within the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), entitled, (1) Senior Legal Officer and (2) Associate Legal Officer. Applications are welcome until 29 September 2021 and 13 October 2021, respectively.
Filed under Vacancies
Book Launch: Marine Plastic Pollution and the Rule of Law
The Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (NUS) will host a book launch, entitled, Marine Plastic Pollution and the Rule of Law, 20 October 2021, online (Zoom). For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: How Indonesia Became An Archipelagic State
The next session of the International Law Association (ILA) Mochtar Memorial Lecture Series, entitled, Mochtar and The Law of the Sea – How Indonesia Became An Archipelagic State, will take place 9 September 2021, via Zoom.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Chile/Argentina: Continental Shelf Differences
On 23 August 2021 Chile promulgated amendments to Decree 95: Determina Las Áreas Jurisdiccionales Marítimas Nacionales Desde Punta Puga A Islas Diego Ramírez (source), adding reference to the outer limit of the continental shelf and including a map. On 28 August 2021, Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship issued Press Release 344/21 (source) objecting to this claim and seeking resolution through dialogue.
Filed under State Practice
Vacancies: Research Assistants at Universität Hamburg
The Faculty of Law at Universität Hamburg is currently advertising two research assistant positions (50%), both with an application deadline of 23 August 2021. The first position concerns the project, entitled, TestArtUp – Road Testing Ocean Artificial Upwelling. The second position concerns the project, entitled, GEOSTOR: Submarine Carbon Dioxide Storage in Geological Formations under the German North Sea.
Filed under Vacancies
Webinars: Law & Nature Dialogues II
The Centre for Environmental Law (Macquarie University) shall host the second session of its Law & Nature Dialogues Webinar Series, via Zoom. The first webinar will be held on 25 August 2021, entitled, Conservation Equity.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Call for Papers: The Evolution of the Law of the Sea
The International Association for the Law of the Sea (AssIDMer) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a book publication, entitled, The Evolution of the Law of the Sea: Celebrating AssIDMer’s 20th Anniversary. Proposal abstracts are welcome until 30 November 2021 in french or english.
For more information, including the list of thematic areas for contributions, see here.
Filed under Calls
Webinar: EEZ – Recent Italian Legislation and Current International Practice
The Jean Monnet Chair on International and European Law of the Sea (IELoS) shall host a webinar, entitled, The Exclusive Economic Zone: Recent Italian Legislation and Current International Practice, 3 September 2021, via MS Teams.
For more information see here. An overview of recent Italian law and delimitation practice relevant to the EEZ are currently on the SIDI – Gruppo d’Interesse sul Diritto del Mare homepage.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Streamlining the Ocean into COP 26 and Beyond
As part of The Road to COP 26/CMA 3 Preparatory Lecture Series (Feb – Oct 2021), The National University of Singapore-Centre for International Law, The University of Durham Law School and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) shall host a webinar entitled, Streamlining the Ocean into COP 26 and Beyond, 26 August 2021, via Zoom.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Webinar: Will the US Accede to UNCLOS? Should it?
The Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) will host a webinar, entitled, Will the US Accede to UNCLOS? Should it?, 25 August 2021, via Zoom. For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Events
ITLOS: The M/T “San Padre Pio” (No. 2) Case (Switzerland/Nigeria), Order 2021/4
As previously reported, in May 2021 Switzerland and Nigeria concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) providing for the immediate release of the M/T “San Padre Pio” vessel and the eventual discontinuance of The M/T “San Padre Pio” (No. 2) Case (Switzerland/Nigeria) proceedings. Subsequently, in June 2021 ITLOS Order 2021/3 fixed 9 September 2021 as the date for the opening of the oral proceedings. As communicated by Switzerland, proceedings will be terminated under the MoU “only from the moment that the M/T ‘San Padre Pio’ enters the high seas, or the territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone of another State” (Order 2021/4, para 7). Furthermore, Switzerland states “the M/T ‘San Padre Pio’ is currently not in a state allowing it to swiftly depart from Nigeria […] remains uncertain when and under what conditions the vessel might be able to depart” and therefore requested “in view of the ongoing implementation of [the MoU] […] the opening of the oral proceedings be postponed until a later date towards the end of fall 2021” (Order 2021/4, paras 5-7). Nigeria did not respond to indicate its views on postponement (Order 2021/4, para 9). The President of the Tribunal, having regard to the special circumstances and views of the Parties (see in particular: Articles 69(2)(c)-(d) and 69(3) of the Rules of the Tribunal) thus:
Decides to postpone the opening of the oral proceedings until a later date to be fixed after consultations with the Parties
Order 2021/4 of 10 August 2021
Filed under Jurisprudence
PIF: Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones
On 6 August 2021 the leaders at the Fifty-First Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) made a declaration entitled, Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise. The declaration recalls the principles of legal stability, security, certainty, predictability, equity, fairness, justice and good faith that underpin UNCLOS and their relevance in the interpretation and application of UNCLOS in the context of sea-level rise and climate change.
The PIF leaders:
Affirm that the Convention imposes no affirmative obligation to keep baselines and outer limits of maritime zones under review nor to update charts or lists of geographical coordinates once deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
PIF, Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the Face of Climate Change-related Sea-Level Rise (6 Aug 2021)
Record the position of Members of the Pacific Islands Forum that maintaining maritime zones established in accordance with the Convention, and rights and entitlements that flow from them, notwithstanding climate change-related sea-level rise, is supported by both the Convention and the legal principles underpinning it,
Declare that once having, in accordance with the Convention, established and notified our maritime zones to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, we intend to maintain these zones without reduction, notwithstanding climate change-related sea-level rise,
Further declare that we do not intend to review and update the baselines and outer limits of our maritime zones as a consequence of climate change-related sea-level rise, and
Proclaim that our maritime zones, as established and notified to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in accordance with the Convention, and the rights and entitlements that flow from them, shall continue to apply, without reduction, notwithstanding any physical changes connected to climate change-related sea-level rise.
For more information see here.
Filed under State Practice
UNSC: Presidential Statement on Maritime Security
On 9 August 2021 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued a Statement by the President of the Security Council, first presented by the Prime Minister of India, acknowledging an array of maritime safety and security concerns, as well as affirming the international legal instruments applicable or desirable in combating illicit activities at sea. Collaboration, cooperation and capacity development were highlighted. For more information see UN Doc. S/PRST/2021/15 and the press release.
Filed under International Organizations
Vacancy: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Bergen
The University of Bergen (UiB) is currently advertising a position within the Shaping European Research Leaders for Marine Sustainability (SEAS) programme, entitled, SEAS postdoctoral research fellow in regulatory and governance challenges related to ocean sustainability. Applications are welcome until 31st October 2021. For more information see here.
Filed under Vacancies
Workshop: Global Ocean Governance in the New Era
The Xiamen University Center for Oceans Law and the China Seas and the China Institute for Marine Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, will host an international training workshop, entitled, Global Ocean Governance in the New Era, 13-17 September 2021, online.
For more information and registration see here.
Filed under Courses
Webinars: Re-Imagining International Organisations and Ecosystem of International Law Series
The Centre for the Study of United Nations (O.P. Jindal Global University) and the Jindal Society of International Law shall host two lecture series during the fall semester. The first series, entitled, Re-Imagining International Organisations, will occur 4 August 2021 – 24 November 2021, online. The second series, entitled, Exploring the Ecosystem of International Law, will occur 6 August 2021 – 30 November 2021, online.
For more information see the programme (Re-Imagining International Organisations) and (Ecosystem of International Law) and the website.
Filed under Events
Call for Papers: The Duty of States to Cooperate in International Law
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law and the International Law Section of the Society of Legal Scholars will host a hybrid workshop, entitled, The Duty of States to Cooperate in International Law, 29 November 2021. Abstracts are welcome until 24 September 2021.
Filed under Calls
Summer School: EU LoS 2021
The Jean Monnet Chair on International and European Law of the Sea (IELoS) shall host the seventh edition of the EULoS Summer School, European Union and the Law of the Sea, 30 August – 10 September 2021, in a hybrid format: online and in Genoa, Italy. Applications are welcome on a rolling basis.
For more information see the EULoS website.
Filed under Courses
Symposium: The Compulsory Settlement of EEZ Fisheries Disputes under UNCLOS
The Goettingen Journal of International Law (GoJIL) will host a symposium, entitled, Does the Exception Swallow the Rule? The Compulsory Settlement of EEZ Fisheries Disputes under Part XV of UNCLOS, 26 August 2021, online.
For more information see here.
Filed under Events
Moot Court: III ITLOS Competition of BILOS – Judges
As previously announced, the Brazilian Institute for the Law of the Sea (IBDMAR/BILOS) will hold the III International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition, November 8-10 2021, online. In addition to the call for teams, BILOS has issued a call for judges.
For more information see here.
Filed under Competitions
E-Course: Law of the Sea
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law will host the next edition of their short course, entitled, Law of the Sea, 22 September-20 October 2021, online. 3 scholarships are available at BIICL.
For more information see here.
Filed under Courses
Call for abstracts: The Global Antarctic
The 2021 biennial academic conference of the Standing Committee on Humanities and Social Sciences (SC-HASS) under the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), themed, The Global Antarctic, will be held 18-19 November 2021 in a hybrid format (online and at the Kobe University Polar Cooperation Research Centre (PCRC), Kobe, Japan). Abstracts are welcome until 2 August 2021.
For more information see here and the call for abstracts.
De Maribus 
