The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Doha, Qatar), is pleased to mark the launch of the Special Issue on “Regional Energy Interconnectivity and Sustainable Development: The Role of International Law”, recently published in the Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law (JERL) of the International Bar Association’s Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law. The launch webinar will take place on 15 June 2026, 16:00–18:00 (SGT).

This webinar will examine key themes emerging from the Special Issue, co-edited by Professor Damilola S. Olawuyi (UNESCO Chair, Hamad Bin Khalifa University) and Denise Cheong (former Head of the Energy Law and Policy Team, CIL). Bringing together diverse academic and practitioner perspectives, the Special Issue explores how international law can support sustainability in cross-border energy projects. It highlights both the opportunities and challenges in leveraging legal frameworks to advance regional energy interconnectivity, drawing on thematic and geographical case studies.

The discussion will focus on the role of international law in enabling the sustainable development of regional energy interconnectivity projects. Panelists will also consider recent developments in legal and regulatory frameworks, policy approaches, and governance structures aimed at mitigating risks in the planning and implementation of such projects across key regions.

Access the Special Issue: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rnrl20/44/2

PROGRAMME:

Welcome Remarks:

• • Susan L Karamanian, Dean, HBKU College of Law
  • Nilufer Oral, Director, CIL, National University of Singapore

Keynote Address:

The Importance of Soft Law in Shaping the Future of Energy
•  Leonardo Sempertegui, General Legal Counsel, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

Discussion Panel:

Moderated by: Damilola S. Olawuyi, Professor and UNESCO Chairholder on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, HKBU College of Law & Denise Cheong, former Head of Energy Law and Policy, CIL, National University of Singapore

Speakers:

• • Imad Ibrahim, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Twente
  • Mohammad Hazrati, Senior Research Fellow, and Nivedita S., Research Fellow, CIL, National University of Singapore
  • Kaho Yu, Chief Research Officer, Asia Carbon Institute
  • Jiangyuan Fu, Assistant Professor of Law, School of Law and Criminology, Maynooth University
  • Ahmed Essa Al-Sulaiti, Lecturer, HBKU College of Law