21 April 2025: CIL Director Dr Nilüfer Oral was Invited by the Indonesian Society of International Law Lecturers (ISILL) to speak at an online Seminar on Monday, 21 April 2025 on “The Role of the International Law Commission in Shaping International Rules and Norms”.

Background

As a professional and non-profit academic network, the Indonesian Society of International Law Lecturers (ISILL) is committed to enriching the discourse on international law and enhancing Indonesia’s engagement with global legal developments. One of its flagship platforms, ISILL Talk, serves as an intellectual forum where scholars, practitioners, and students can gather to reflect on pressing issues in international law and contribute to scholarly exchange and policy understanding.

In 2025, ISILL will host a special session of ISILL Talk with a theme: “The Role of the International Law Commission in Shaping International Rules and Norms.” This theme is timely and strategically important for Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region. As global challenges such as climate change, transboundary disputes, cyber security, and migration evolve, the development of consistent and coherent international legal rules becomes ever more crucial. The International Law Commission (ILC) plays a central role in this process by contributing to international law’s progressive development and codification.

Founded in 1947 under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly, the ILC has produced some of the most influential legal instruments and frameworks in international law, including the Articles on State Responsibility, the Draft Articles on the Law of Treaties, and the Draft Principles on the Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts. Its work bridges academic rigour and practical relevance as it shapes the legal infrastructure upon which international relations operate.

For Indonesia, a country with a growing international presence, greater involvement in the international legal community, including within the ILC framework, is a natural progression. Indonesia has a rich history of engagement in international diplomacy, from hosting the Bandung Conference to chairing ASEAN. It is now seeking to expand its role in contributing to international norm-setting. The inclusion of Indonesian legal scholars and professionals in discussions about the ILC's work can help enhance the country’s capacity to engage with, contribute to, and benefit from the evolution of international law.

ISILL aims to spotlight the ILC's pivotal role through this webinar and foster dialogue on how Indonesia and its academic community can better connect with these developments. Two distinguished speakers will present: Prof. Nilufer Oral, an active member of the ILC, and Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, one of Indonesia’s leading international law experts—ensuring that the conversation will be rich, insightful, and practically relevant. This event is not just an academic discussion but a step toward greater intellectual preparedness and diplomatic positioning for Indonesia in international law-making forums.

Objectives

The objectives of this webinar are to:

• Highlight the historical and contemporary role of the International Law Commission (ILC) in the development of international law.
• Assess how ILC's work has influenced state behaviour, treaty formation, and the
• interpretation of international legal norms.
• Discuss Indonesia’s potential and strategic role in supporting and contributing to the ILC’s work.
• Create a platform for scholars and practitioners to exchange insights and engage with leading voices in international law.

More about the event including a recording at the link: https://www.instagram.com/asosiasiisill/p/DISvzQpPeDl/