INTRODUCTION

Given the crucial importance of the energy sector to the global economy, the discipline of international energy law is rapidly growing and has witnessed significant transformations over the last few decades. Climate-action-driven transition to a low-carbon economy, growing cross-border energy trade, regional integration, technology advancements as well as efforts to advance universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG 7) while maintaining global energy security amid geopolitical tensions, are rapidly transforming the field of international energy law. However, significant ambiguities surrounding the very concept of ‘international energy law’ persist. These debates range from the terminology itself — whether it should be referred to as ‘international energy law’, ‘international law of energy’ or ‘international law on energy’ — to questions about its scope as well as the priorities it should address.

A thorough understanding of the nature of international energy law, coupled with a well-defined agenda, is not only a valuable academic pursuit but also crucial for its effective development and practical application in addressing contemporary global energy challenges. This seminar aims to contribute to this endeavour by exploring the definition, sources, and scope of international energy law and discussing how its future agenda can be shaped amidst various priorities such as the energy transition, just transition, access to energy and affordability and energy security, among other pressing global energy-related issues.

This seminar will be moderated by Ms Denise Cheong, Head, Energy Law and Policy, NUS Centre for International Law

ABOUT THE SPEAKER 

Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, CIL’s Distinguished Visiting Global Scholar, is a Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) College of Law, Doha, Qatar.  He is also the director of the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Afe Babalola University, Nigeria. Professor Olawuyi holds a doctorate in energy and environmental law from the University of Oxford; a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Harvard University; and another LL.M. from the University of Calgary. He is an Independent Expert on the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights; Vice Chair of the International Law Association; Chair of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU); and Chair of the Academic Advisory Group of the Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law (AAG-SEERIL), International Bar Association. He was formerly an Independent Expert on the African Union’s Working Group on extractive industries, environment, and human rights violations in Africa. 

Professor Olawuyi has published several articles, books, and reports on energy, environment, and natural resources law, including Environmental Law in Arab States (Oxford University Press, 2022), which received the 2023 American Society of International Law (ASIL) Certificate of Merit for High Technical Craftmanship and Utility to Practicing Lawyers. In 2024, he received the H.E Judge Weeramantry International Justice Award.

Professor Olawuyi has been admitted as Barrister and Solicitor in Alberta, Canada; Ontario, Canada; and Nigeria. He is a regular media commentator on all aspects of energy, environment and sustainable development. 

Home page: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cl/staff/damilola-s-olawuyi

ABOUT THE MODERATOR 

Ms Denise Cheong is the Head of Energy Law and Policy at the Centre for International Law (CIL), National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research interests centre around law and policy issues that cut across the energy, ocean and environmental sectors. Prior to her current position, she was formerly the Head of Nuclear Law & Policy and was responsible for developing the area into a standalone programme at CIL. In her new role, Denise’s research focuses on energy governance issues of international importance and regional significance across the energy cycle, particularly those of a cross-cutting nature. Her published works include book chapters and journal articles on nuclear, ocean and/or environmental law issues. She has also been invited to speak and participate in conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings as well as expert groups on topics related to energy, ocean and/or environmental law issues, both internationally and regionally. Prior to joining CIL in 2014, she was in private international legal practice for close to 15 years, working in Sydney, Tokyo and Singapore. She is an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and a Solicitor of England and Wales.

PROGRAMME

3.20 pm           Registration
3.30 pm           Welcome remarks by CIL Director, Dr Nilufer Oral
3.35 pm           Presentation by Professor Damilola Olawuyi
4.30 pm           Q&A
5.00 pm           End of seminar