On behalf of AAIL, Professor Huang, who is also Zhou Gengsheng Chair Professor of Wuhan University, congratulated the opening of the meeting and thanked the Government of Uganda for its hosting. On the issue relating to the environment and sustainable development, he referred to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on climate change, and emphasised the value of the principle of the ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibility’. He mentioned that with the United Nations at the core, AALCO is in the good position to apply this principle and to defend the interest of the Global South in the context of climate change.

On the issue relating to the outer space, Professor Huang highlighted the need for and importance of South-South cooperation, citing Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and African Space Agency as examples. In his view, capacity building of developing countries in the exploration of the use of outer space may eventually improve their position in the formulation of space law. AALCO, as a solid body of legal expertise, may assist in determining the forms of cooperation, in providing guidelines for cooperative activities, and in resolution of disagreements.

During the Asset Recovery Expert Forum, Dr Zhang Yue noted that many Asian and African nations present at the meeting have suffered a great loss of cultural heritage due to colonisation or foreign occupation. She advocated that AALCO is the ideal platform for these nations to unite and seek a global solution to this historical injustice. She underlined the significance of the Qingdao Recommendations for the Protection and Return of Cultural Objects Removed from Colonial Contexts in June 2024, signed by 19 States, 9 of which are AALCO members. Accordingly, Dr Zhang suggested that the Asset Recovery Expert Forum should give more attention to this topic, enabling member states to share best practices, exchange experiences, and collaborate with other organisations.