28 July 2025: Dr Nilufer Oral was Invited by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to Speak at a Lunchtime Panel on “The International Law Commission in Challenging Times” 

This event will focus on two topics currently being explored by the International Law Commission: (a) sea-level rise in relation to international law, and (b) immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction. It will also explore interaction with the ILC from a Sixth Committee perspective and consider how the ILC can adapt in response to the challenges of the current fiscal constraints being experienced by the UN.

Established in 1947 to help with the progressive development and codification of international law, the ILC’s contribution has been remarkable. As recently as the General Assembly’s 79th Session, the Sixth Committee agreed to move forward with negotiations for two conventions based on ILC products – on crimes against humanity and the protection of persons in the event of disasters.

And it continues to work on important questions of international law. At this year’s session in Geneva, it adopted the final report of the Study Group on Sea-level Rise in Relation to International Law and made progress on other topics, including on immunities. It has also included the topics “Compensation for the damage caused by internationally wrongful acts” and “Due diligence in international law” in its programme of work.

But this year’s session was reduced from 12 weeks to only five due to the UN liquidity crisis, which prevented further progress from being made. This is therefore a timely moment to discuss key substantive topics that the ILC has considered this year and to reflect on the how it can best face the challenging environment in which it operates.

Panel:

Chaired by Colin McIntyre (Legal Adviser, UK Mission) and comprising ILC Members Dapo Akande (UK), Patrícia Galvão Teles (Portugal) and Nilüfer Oral (Türkiye) (Co-Chairs of the ILC Study Group on Sea-Level Rise) and Marvin Ikondere (6C delegate, Uganda).