CIL-ANCORS Workshop on
Maritime Boundary Delimitation
24-26 February 2025
From 24-26 February 2025, the Centre for International Law (CIL) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) of the University of Wollongong co-hosted the Workshop on Maritime Boundary Delimitation. Held at the NUS Bukit Timah Campus, this workshop marked the eighth edition of the workshop series, continuing its mission to build capacity for government officials and practitioners involved in negotiating complex maritime boundary issues.
The 2025 workshop featured distinguished panellists, including senior government officials, seasoned litigators, and leading academics. Their expertise was evident through informative lectures and engaging discussions, which provided participants with a deep understanding of maritime boundary delimitation. The workshop welcomed 42 participants from 17 countries/regions.
The in-person format of the workshop maximised interaction and networking opportunities, highlighted by heated discussions during lectures, group exercises, and social events such as the reception dinner and a Singapore River cruise tour. The group exercises, which spanned all three days, allowed participants to simulate maritime boundary negotiations, and to foster collaborative learning and practical application of theoretical concepts. Trainers went to each discussion and negotiation room to oversee the group activities and respond to questions from the participants. These group exercises helped participants grasp the intricacies of maritime boundary delimitation challenges while offering hands-on insight into the theories covered in the lectures. Furthermore, the activities allowed participants to build relationships and form bonds with colleagues from Southeast Asia and beyond.
This year’s Workshop held two special sessions. One was a remembrance session on Ambassador Hasjim Djalal, who was an architect of UNCLOS, a law of the sea expert and a veteran diplomat from Indonesia. Organisers of the Workshop dedicated this session to Ambassador Hasjim Djalal in recognition of his global legacy in shaping the development of the law of the sea. Another special session was a panel discussion on how to build a national negotiating team for boundary issues. This panel invited four seasoned government officials to share their practical insights from their experiences leading negotiations with neighboring countries.
PRE-EVENT INFORMATION
CIL-ANCORS Workshop on
Maritime Boundary Delimitation
24-26 February 2025
Application closed as of 16 Feb 2025, 7pm, Singapore Time
Following the success of the Maritime Boundary Delimitation Training Workshops in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024, the Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong will bring together leading experts, practitioners and scholars for its eighth Workshop on Maritime Boundary Delimitation from 24 to 26 February 2025. This in-person Workshop will be held at the premises of the NUS Faculty of Law, Bukit Timah Campus in Singapore.
Registration is now open!
PROGRAMME Click Here for the Programme
The 2025 Workshop will once again bring together a world-class faculty to deliver a dynamic combination of interactive lectures and guided delimitation exercises, and incorporate theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in negotiating maritime boundaries. Trainers will deliver lectures that cover key issues in maritime boundary delimitation including an overview on the jurisdictional framework in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); the legal evolution of boundary delimitation; baselines and geographic complexities; factors to be considered in boundary negotiations; delimitation between the EEZ and continental shelf; the impact of sea-level rise on baselines, limits and boundaries, the referral of disputes to third party dispute settlement. 2025 Workshop will feature a specially-curated panel by seasoned diplomats sharing their experience in successful boundary negotiations.
A key highlight of the CIL-ANCORS Workshop on Maritime Boundaries Delimitation is the simulation exercises that require students to negotiate maritime boundaries, during which they will get the opportunity to put what they learn from lectures into application, and gain practical insights into common challenges in boundary delimitation negotiations, as well as the necessary skillsets to overcome such challenges.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The 2025 Workshop is designed for government officials responsible for maritime boundary delimitation issues, including diplomats, legal experts, technical experts, hydrographers, and other officers from related government departments. This Workshop will also be of interest to academics and practitioners who have a keen interest in maritime delimitation issues. Hydrographers and technical experts are highly encouraged to attend our Workshop.
Participants will:
- Gain in-depth knowledge from experts in maritime delimitation;
- Network with fellow professionals who have engaged in the practice and study of maritime delimitation;
- Acquire practical negotiation skills through interactive delimitation exercises;
- Stay updated on the latest developments in maritime delimitation.
FACULTY (AS OF 20 DECEMBER 2024)
The faculty for the 2025 Workshop will include world-renowned academics and practitioners from CIL and ANCORS, as well as government officials from ASEAN and the United States (in alphabetical order of surname)
- I Made Andi ARSANA, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Robert BECKMAN, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
- Leonardo BERNARD, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong
- Tara DAVENPORT, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
- Robert HARRIS, United States Department of State
- Daphne HONG, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Singapore
- Stuart KAYE, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong
- Lawrence MARTIN, Foley Hoag LLP, United States
- NGUYEN Quy Binh, Hanoi University, Vietnam
- Arif Havas OEGROSENO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia
- Nilüfer ORAL, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
- Clive SCHOFIELD, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong
OFFICIAL ACCOMMODATION
CIL will have information for negotiated room rates for participants. Information will be posted soon.
FEES + REGISTRATION + FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIPS
The workshop fee of USD 1,500 nett (SGD 2,013 nett) includes breaks, lunch, and course materials over the three-day course.
A limited number of scholarships are available for candidates from ASEAN countries. Decisions on scholarships will be made by the Organisers.
ENQUIRIES
For enquiries, please email Ms Gerry Ng at cil.events@nus.edu.sg