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9 – 13 September 2024
AAIL Participated in the 62nd Annual Session of AALCO
in Bangkok, Thailand
As an observer to the 62nd Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization, Asian Academy of International Law (AAIL) actively participated in this physical event, which was held from 9 to 13 September 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. AAIL delegation was led by Ms Teresa Cheng GBM GBS SC JP (Founder and Co-Chairman), along with Professor Huang Jiefang (Secretary-General), and Mr Adrian Lai JP (Deputy Secretary-General and Co-Convenor of the Advisory Board).
At the Inaugural Session, Secretary-General of AALCO, H.E. Dr Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, delivered the Welcome Remarks. This physical event brought together over 300 ministers, attorneys general, ambassadors, and international legal experts to engage in substantive discussions on current global legal issues.
During the General Statements session, Ms Cheng delivered a comprehensive statement on behalf of AAIL, addressing key topics such as asset recovery, space law, and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) reform. Ms Cheng emphasised on AAIL’s vision of a more inclusive and participatory international legal order, where the voices of Asian and African countries would be respected, particularly through the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law (CAERP) which AAIL assisted to organise. Ms Cheng highlighted the significance of CAERP in facilitating dialogues among AALCO member States on matters relating to international law, as well as the participation of CAERP alumni in various other training programmes organised by AAIL, thereby providing a unique platform for the sharing of expertise and best practices among officials from AALCO member States.
Professor Huang made an intervention on the legal challenges surrounding outer space law. He underscored the importance of maintaining the outer space as a global commons and safeguarding the interests of developing nations in space activities, and called for co-operative, inclusive legal frameworks to avoid future monopolisation of space.
In the subsequent session, Ms Cheng also made an intervention, addressing the ISDS reform under the Working Group III of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, calling for procedural reforms to enhance cost-efficiency and neutrality in arbitral proceedings. She stressed on the need for dispute avoidance mechanisms and raised critical considerations for the establishment of a standing appellate body for ISDS disputes.
At the concluding session, Mr Lai delivered the Vote of Thanks on behalf of International Organisations, expressing appreciation to AALCO and Thailand for hosting the event. He reaffirmed AAIL’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with AALCO and its member States in addressing the complex legal challenges facing the international community.
The Annual Session also deliberated on other important topics such as ‘Law of the Sea’, ‘Environment and Sustainable Development’, ‘International Trade and Investment Law’, and ‘International Law in Cyberspace’, as a reflection of the ever-evolving challenges that AALCO member States and observers must address in today’s interconnected world.
