The EPLO hosted the International Law Association 2013 Regional Conference on 29-31 August at its premises in Sounion, Greece. The Conference was organized by the Hellenic Branch of the ILA, and was on the theme “Imperium Juris: Governance, Trade, Resources”.
The central theme of the conference was the concept of the rule of law at the international level, with particular emphasis on the organization of international society, trade and resource management.
These are key questions which concern the international scene, but are also of particular interest at the regional level, where superimposed international rules, multiple actors, interchanging levels of power between and within states, and emerging needs, require new approaches to issues concerning the management of energy resources, wealth producing resources, development and the protection of human rights.
Specifically, on 29 August the participants discussed issues such as judicial power and the rule of law, contemporary shipping problems, investments in resources, human security and human rights.
On the following day, 30 August, the speakers’ reports concerned international arbitration in the field of investment, the protection of cultural heritage, the protection of people during periods of natural disasters, as well as global economic governance.
The Conference came to an end on 31 August with two special sessions dedicated to the legal aspects of the international financial and monetary crisis and of public debt, and to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, respectively.
The participants consisted of eminent international relations experts, judges, members of the academic community from all over the world and acclaimed lawyers from some of the biggest international and Greek law firms.
The discussions made reference to major arbitration issues, the resolution of investment differences and the management of energy resources, including research on the production of hydrocarbons, the functioning of energy pipelines and the purchase of natural gas.
