59th Session of the International Law Seminar

Fifty-ninth session of the International Law Seminar

Monday, 2 June 2025, at 4.30 p.m.
Salon Hongrois, Office of the Director-General

Dear Seminar participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to warmly welcome you to the Salon Hongrois on the occasion of the 59th session of the International Law Seminar.
 
I wish to congratulate you for having been selected among a competitive pool of applications. You represent different regions, legal systems and cultures and reflect the richness of the United Nations.

First held in 1965, the Seminar has a long tradition. Its existence is linked to the International Law Commission and is an expression of the General Assembly’s commitment to the promotion and progressive development of international law, as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations.

You are joining a community of 1,391 participants from 179 countries, who have previously graduated from the Seminar.

It is an important opportunity in your careers to be observing and engaging with the work of the International Law Commission. The significance of the work of the International Law Commission for the rules-based international system that underpins multilateralism cannot be overstated. In many ways, the Palais des Nations is a home for multilateralism and reflects an institutional commitment to that system. We need to take care of this building, not only its mortar and bricks, but also what it stands for.

This historic building has recently been renovated as part of the Strategic Heritage Plan and our office returned to these premises last November.

Many dignitaries have passed through these corridors and have been in the Salon Hongrois, the traditional waiting room for high-level delegations. The room was donated by the Government of Hungary in 1936 and contains artwork from famous Hungarian artists of that time.

The Seminar is an important activity of our office and particularly for our Legal Office.  I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Michael Schoiswohl, our Senior Legal Adviser, and the Director of the Seminar. More importantly, I wish to express our deep gratitude to the Coordinator of the Seminar, Mr. Vittorio Mainetti and recognize the support provided by the team, in particular, Ms. Vinuon In, for the convening of the Seminar.

I would like to invite you to take your participation in the Seminar as further encouragement to work in this field and to promote international law and the work of the International Law Commission and also the Seminar. We hope you will act as ambassadors of the Seminar throughout your professional lives.

In conclusion, I wish you an engaging and productive continuation of the Seminar, and a safe journey back to your respective home countries.

I would now invite you to take the official group photo of the Seminar.

Thank you.