40th International Law Seminar

Dear Mr. President
Dear Friends and Members of the International Law Commission
Dear Participants in the International Law Seminar:


As a lawyer myself, it is a particular pleasure for me to be with you as we close the 40th International Law Seminar. I am sure that you are all familiar with the saying that life begins at 40. But, the International Law Seminar has clearly proven to be a most dynamic and challenging training ground for young international law professionals and scholars already before the age of 40. And I hope that we can look forward to many more years because the progressive development and codification of international law remains a central task of the United Nations.

As envisaged in the United Nations Charter, one of our important aims is to bring about the implementation both of treaties and of rules of customary international law. Much has been achieved in this respect, not least based on the preparatory work of the International Law Commission. But, as the world faces an unprecedented combination of threats and challenges – from preventing and resolving armed conflict, fighting terrorism and curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to the eradication of poverty, addressing the global HIV/ADIS pandemic and other infectious diseases, combating environmental degradation, and many others challenges – our commitment to the rule of law and to the continuous development of international law is critical.

If we are to deal with these threats and challenges effectively, our response must be firmly placed within the framework of international law. As the Secretary-General recently pointed out: “to weaken our commitment to international law would be to hand the enemies of order and human rights a victory that they cannot achieve on their own. The international community must choose a different path – a path that ensures that the threats of our age will be addressed and that international law will be strengthened in the process”.

To respond to this call for strengthening the international legal framework and institutions, we need to ensure that new generations of international legal professionals are familiar with the latest legal doctrine and practice, and at the same time sensitised to the particular challenges facing the international community. International law must be widely and better known and applied for it to fully play its rightful role. This Seminar, and in particular the exchanges with the members of the International Law Commission, who are distinguished and world-renowned lawyers, contribute to that. I am sure that you have been inspired by the their unique legal expertise and that they, in turn, have been challenged by your questions and your discussions.

As you continue your careers in international law across the world, I am sure that this Seminar will remain a point of reference and a source of inspiration for you. I wish you all much success.

Thank you very much.