CIL Conference on Conceptualising International Energy Law: Shaping the Future Amidst Transition in a VUCA World
25 September 2025 | Four Points by Sheraton, Singapore
POST EVENT
The CIL Energy Law and Policy Team organised an in-person abstract-based conference entitled “Conceptualising International Energy Law: Shaping the Future Amidst Transition in a VUCA World” on 25 September 2025, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Singapore. The conference featured 15 speakers and over 50 participants. The full programme including details of all speakers can be found here. The call for abstracts received an overwhelming response – with over 400 submissions.
The conference began with a keynote address delivered by Raphael Heffron (University of Abu Dhabi) who discussed the importance of justice as an agent of change, and its crucial role in driving an equitable energy transition. This was followed by three panel discussions: The first panel on ‘Global perspectives contributing to the development of International Energy Law’, moderated by Elena Cima (University of Geneva); the second panel on ‘Regional perspectives contributing to the development of International Energy Law’, moderated by Hao Zhang (The Chinese University of Hong Kong); and the third panel on ‘Conceptualisation of International Energy Law’, moderated by Kaisa Huhta (University of Eastern Finland).
The conference fostered discussions on the conceptualisation and development of international energy law how global and regional perspectives on the energy transition and energy governance are shaping and should shape its conceptualisation and development. Discussions also emphasised the need for further theoretical research, not only to underpin but also direct and guide its development. The conference ended with a closing session which reflected upon the key takeaways from the conference.
CIL expresses our appreciation and gratitude to our keynote speaker; panel leads and speakers for their thoughtful and insightful presentations as well as participants for their active engagement – all of which contributed to a deepened understanding of important issues surrounding the conceptualisation and development of international energy law.
PRESENTATION SLIDES:
Keynote Address:
Keynote_Raphael Heffron_Justice as an Agent of Change in International Energy Law
Session 1:
1.1. Elena Cima_Five Stories of a Fragmented Discipline
1.2. Temitope Tunbi Onifade_The Making of International Energy Law
1.3. Ranchun Wang_Interrelationships between International Energy Law and Global Energy Governance
1.4. Fang Meng Mandy_Between Energy Security and Trade Liberalization
1.5. Zeynab Malakouti_The Role of International Human Rights Law in Reinforcing & Shaping IEL
Session 2:
2.1. Hao Zhang_Regional Pathways in the Evolution of International Energy Law
2.2. Etienne Durand_The Transformative Power of Energy Transition in the European Union
2.3. Alicia Phillips_Navigating International Energy Law Obligations
2.4. Olalekan A. Bello_Reclaiming Agency Indigenous Energy Sovereignty
Session 3:
3.1. Kaisa Huhta_The Why and How of Conceptualising International Energy Law
3.2. Seita Vesa_Theorizing Energy Law as a Field of Law
3.3. Tedd Moya Mose_Reshaping International Energy Law for the Just Transition
3.5. Mohammad Hazrati_Nivedita S_Systematic Literature Review for International Energy Law
PRE-EVENT INFORMATION
The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore is pleased to announce a one-day conference titled ‘Conceptualising International Energy Law: Shaping the Future Amidst Transition in a VUCA World’, which will take place in Singapore on Thursday, 25 September 2025.
Conference Aims and Objectives
The urgency of the ongoing energy transition has never been greater in the face of the profound threat not only to human well-being but also to ecosystems worldwide. Yet deepening geopolitical conflicts, escalating global trade wars, and increasing socio-economic pressures are intensifying this already formidable challenge, undermining the very international cooperation needed to effect this critical shift. Amidst an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous or “VUCA” world, the aims of this conference are to (i) foster a discussion on the conceptualisation of international energy law; and (ii) understand how global and regional perspectives on energy governance and the energy transition are shaping not only the conceptualisation but also development of international energy law.
There is clearly a role for international energy law in accelerating the energy transition, while addressing the complexities of the energy trilemma - balancing the need for energy security, environmental sustainability, and energy equity in energy governance. Beyond the energy transition, international energy law also plays an important role in shaping the future of global energy governance to support sustainable development. The premise of this conference is that, amid the complexities of a VUCA world, greater clarity about the very concept of international energy law is essential for it to play a more prominent and purposeful role in this context. Yet despite the growing importance of international energy law, ambiguities continue to surround the concept of international energy law, with ongoing debates about not only its terminology and scope but also the priorities it should address and its connection to global and regional energy governance frameworks. At present, existing scholarship on the role of international energy law in facilitating the energy transition tends not to address these ambiguities.
It is within the above context that this conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of international energy law.
Contact Details:
For any questions about this conference, please contact Dr. Mohammad Hazrati at mhazrati@nus.edu.sg.
Full conference programme now available!
Registration
Note: If you have successfully submitted your registration, you should receive an acknowledgement of registration. If not, your registration has not been received. Registration will be confirmed within 1 week, if successful. There are a limited number of places available, and it may not be possible to accommodate all interested participants.
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