- Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina Underscores the Importance of Strengthening the Role of ITLOS in Addressing Complex Maritime Challenges Facing the International Community -
The 11th International Conference on the Law of the Sea, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MOFA) and co-organized by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Korean Society of International Law (KSIL), was held in Seoul from Tuesday, November 3, to Wednesday, November 4, under the theme of “ITLOS at 30: Navigating the Future of the Law of the Sea.”
In her welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony, Dr. Kim Jina, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended ITLOS for its pivotal contribution over the past 30 years in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and the development of the law of the sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). She noted that the role of ITLOS in interpreting and applying UNCLOS is expected to grow further as the international community faces emerging challenges, including rising seas, expanding access to deep-sea resources, and the diversification of maritime activities through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Vice Minister Kim also highlighted the Republic of Korea’s proactive contribution to the development of international norms through its engagement and contributions in the international community as its responsible partner. She reaffirmed the Korean government’s commitment to supporting ITLOS so that the latter can fulfill its role in shaping the normative framework of the law of the sea.
In his opening address, Prof. So Byung-Chun, President of the KSIL, noted that the effectiveness of international law depends not only on the quality of legal rules and judicial reasoning but also on the willingness of states to cooperate in good faith and comply with their international obligations. He expected that the conference would provide a valuable opportunity to bridge academic inquiry and practical experience in order to pursue constructive dialogue and cooperation regarding the future of ocean governance.
In his keynote speech, Judge Maurice K. Kamga, President of ITLOS, underscored that, over the past 30 years, the Tribunal has adjudicated a broad range of matters with a view to peacefully settling maritime disputes and upholding the rule of law: These include the scope and exercise of coastal states’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction; activities in the deep seabed area; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment. He noted that, through its jurisprudence, ITLOS has helped clarify the legal framework established by UNCLOS and provided important guidance in addressing emerging challenges in the law of the sea.
This year’s conference brought together approximately 300 offline and 1,000 online participants, including more than 20 international law experts from around the world. Participants reflected on ITLOS' judicial legacy built over the past 30 years and examined key issues in the law of the sea, including the legal authority and effects of advisory opinions, the case law within the UNCLOS dispute settlement system, and compliance with judicial decisions in the law of the sea.
Details of the discussions at the 11th Conference on the Law of the Sea are available on the conference's official website (www.icls.or.kr) and the YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/lawofthesea1982).