In the face of global climate change, sea level rise poses serious challenges, particularly for small island developing states (SIDS) and coastal developing nations. According to the 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, sea levels could rise by up to 1 meter by 2100 under high-emission scenarios, threatening the territorial integrity and livelihoods of SIDS and causing significant shifts in maritime boundaries for other coastal states.
This event will delve into the implications of sea level rise under international legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and examine how emerging jurisprudence addresses these critical issues. Discussions will highlight recent legal initiatives, such as the advisory opinion delivered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), as well as the ongoing advisory opinions in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). These initiatives underscore the differentiated impacts of climate change and the evolving role of international law in addressing territorial loss, population displacement, and economic repercussions.
Join us to explore these pressing challenges and engage with experts on the legal responses shaping global efforts to address sea level rise and its far-reaching consequences.
Panelists:
- Nilufer Oral, Member, International Law Commission
- Patrícia Galvão Teles, Member, International Law Commission
- Juan José Ruda Santolaria, Member, International Law Commission
- Bimal N Patel, Member, International Law Commission
Co-sponsored by the ASIL Law of The Sea Interest Group and Rashtriya Raksha University