With the generous support of the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government as well as the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, this 9^th Edition was attended by legal officers representing the Secretariat of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), the African Union Commission (AUC), as well as government officials coming from 32 jurisdictions – Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Hong Kong SAR, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania, Türkiye, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Since 2017, AAIL has been hosting the Hong Kong SAR Session of the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law (CAERP). Through a series of lectures and visits, the CAERP Program seeks to enhance the knowledge of legal professionals from AALCO Member States in the field of international law.

The CAERP Program commenced with the 2026 Colloquium on International Law, and the subsequent sessions are:

• Dr the Honourable Elsie Leung GBM JP, Former Deputy Director of the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, provided a comprehensive analysis of the distinctive ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, its legal framework, and the importance of national security in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Central Government.

• Ms Rosanna Deim-Hoffmann, Lead of Space Law and Policy of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, introduced the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and provided an overview of international space law, including the continuing relevance of the Outer Space Treaty in today’s context.

• Dr Sorajak Kasemsuvan, Chairman of Tune Protect Insurance Public Company Limited, delivered an overview of international aviation law and discussed a number of contemporary challenges facing the sector.

• Dr Anthony Neoh SC JP examined the transformation of the global trade and financial system, covering topics ranging from enduring legal principles to international standards, Hong Kong’s regulatory architecture, and its strategic positioning within the emerging global financial order.

• Professor Zhao Yun JP, Henry Cheng Professor in International Law and Associate Dean (Mainland Affairs) of the Faculty of Law of The University of Hong Kong, discussed the Hague Judgments Convention and the mutual recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments between Hong Kong and the Chinese China.

• The Honourable Professor Teresa Cheng GBM GBS SC JP, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), introduced the work of IOMed, highlighting the growing importance of mediation in addressing cross-border disputes.

• Ms Olga Boltenko FCIArb, Barrister at Prince’s Chambers, shared her insights on international investment law and examined its significance.

Delegates also visited the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong SAR, the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). These visits provided valuable opportunities for participants to gain first-hand insight into the operation of Hong Kong’s common law system, the successful implementation of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, and Hong Kong’s role as an international legal and dispute resolution hub.