The National University of Singapore (NUS) became the first University in the Asia-Pacific region to host the biennial conference of the Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) last week. SIEL is the leading global association of international economic law academics and practioners.
Organised by the Centre for International Law (CIL) and hosted by the Faculty of Law (NUS Law), the conference took place at the Bukit Timah Campus from 12-14 July 2012. 272 delegates representing more than 150 institutions from over 50 countries took part.
SIEL’s Executive Vice President, Associate Professor Colin Picker, explained why the London-based organisation selected NUS: “CIL has quickly established itself as one of the leading global centres for trade and investment law, while NUS Law is one of the best law schools in the world and brings to the table a level of professionalism and depth almost unmatched in the world.”
Dean of NUS Law Professor Simon Chesterman welcomed the guests by inviting them to shape future research and policy innovations in international economic law: “Singapore has always been a hub for the trade of goods; this conference shows that it is now also a hub for trading in ideas.” Head of CIL’s trade and investment law programme, Associate Professor Michael Ewing-Chow, added: “With the gravitational shift in global trade and investments towards Asia over the last decade, it is timely that one of the major forums for thought leadership in international economic law is held in Singapore.”
The 3-day conference included the prestigious Robert Hudec Lecture, which was delivered by Professor Chang-fa Lo, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Judicial Yuan) of Taiwan and the former Dean of the College of Law, National Taiwan University, on the timely topic “External Regime Coherence: WTO/BITs and Public Health Tension as an Illustration”.
On Friday evening, around 230 guests enjoyed a networking reception hosted by CIL at the icnonic ION Sky, which offers an unrivalled 360-degree view from the highest point on Orchard Road.
For more information on the SIEL conference, please click here.