CIL organised a conference on Joint Development and the South China Sea on 16–17 June 2011 in Singapore. The conference examined the law and policy issues relating to the joint development of oil and gas resources in areas of overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

This conference report examines three aspects of existing joint development arrangements (JDAs): why the states concerned entered into JDAs (rationale); what contextual factors played a role in negotiations and ultimately led to the conclusion of the JDAs; and what the key provisions in JDAs are. Based on analysis and discussions at the conference, the conference report recommends the steps to be taken to move forward on joint development in the South China Sea.