CIL International Law Year in Review 2026 Conference

The year 2025 has been marked by important shifts in the geopolitical and geoeconomic landscapes, many of which have challenged and disrupted the existing international rules-based order. Regrettably, numerous conflicts and wars that began in 2023 have continued, creating dire human rights and humanitarian crises, institutional deadlocks, and renewed doubts about whether international law matters at a time when "might makes right" appears to be replacing the rule of law. At the same time, longstanding challenges persist and new ones are emerging in areas such as climate change, global trade, the protection of critical infrastructures, and multilateral decision-making. Paradoxically, however, the dockets of international courts and tribunals continue to expand, dispelling doubts about the relevance of international law. The year 2025 also witnessed the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement and Pandemic Agreement, as well as the successful conclusion of the work of the International Law Commission on Sea Level Rise in Relation to International Law. In many respects, therefore, multilateralism and the development and codification of international law have had a remarkably successful year. 

The NUS Centre for International Law's annual flagship event, "International Law Year in Review Conference 2026", will provide diplomats, scholars, practitioners, and government officials an overview of the most significant developments in international law of the past year. Bringing together world-renowned experts under the theme "Conflict, Disruption and Paradox", the conference will explore these key issues and feature a keynote address by the former President of the International Court of Justice — Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf.