The Future of International Law: Reflections on Challenges New and Old
National University of Singapore Centre for International Law/UCL Laws conference
The Future of International Law: Reflections on Challenges New and Old
04 Feb 2026, 14:00 – 19:30
About this conference
International law is at the forefront of addressing crucial future challenges but is under pressures unprecedented since the founding of the United Nations Charter order. The NUS Centre for International Law and UCL Laws will bring together leading public international law experts to tackle three selected themes for the future of international law:
- the (non-)peacefulness of the settlement of international disputes,
- the interplay of strain and creativity in established fields of international law (climate change, critical submarine infrastructure, international trade, and the mechanisms for codification and progressive development), and
- new challenges posed by cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence.
This event takes a longue durée perspective on the development of public international law, considering in turn the future through the lenses of these selected themes and concluding with a high-level roundtable discussion on the future of universalism.
We welcome practitioners, scholars and students to join us for the full day or just the evening high-level roundtable.
Opening remarks: Nilufer Oral and Professor Martins Paparinskis,14:00-14:05
Session 1, 14:05-15:00
The Future for (non-)peacefulness of dispute settlement
Moderator: Prof Christian J. Tams (KCL/11KBW)
- Professor Diane Marie Amann (University of Georgia/UCL)
- Dr Vilawan Mangklatanakul (ILC)
- Professor Makane Moïse Mbengue (University of Geneva)
- Professor Marko Milanovic (University of Reading)
Session 2, 15:15-16:15
Old Futures under Pressure
Moderator: Professor Patricia Galvao Teles (Autonomous University of Lisbon/ILC)
- Professor Lorand Bartels (University of Cambridge)
- Dr Tara Devenport (NUS CIL)
- Dr Nilufer Oral (NUS CIL/ILC)
- Professor Martins Paparinskis (UCL/ILC)
Session 3, 16:30-17:30
The New Future: Cyberspace and AI
Moderator: Ambassador Rolf Einar Fife (MFA Norway/ILC)
- Dr Elena Pribytkova (NUS CIL)
- Dr Jon Truby (NUS CIL)
- Professor. Philippa Webb (University of Oxford)
- Professor Can Yeginsu (3VB/Koç University Law School/Georgetown Law)
High-level roundtable, 18:00-19:30
Future of universalism: tensions and resilience
Moderators: Nilufer Oral and Prof. Martins Paparinskis
- Professor Malgosia Fitzmaurice (QMUL)
- Professor Chin Leng Lim (CUHK)
- Ambassador Namira Negm (African Migration Observatory)
- Ambassador Mario Oyarzábal (MFA Argentina/ILC)
A booking link to secure your place at this conference will be available shortly.
UCL200 marks the bicentenary of University College London — 200 years since our founding in 1826 and our legacy of pioneering education, research, and community.
Throughout 2026, UCL will host a vibrant programme of events and activities celebrating our founding values, our global impact, our communities, and our vision for the future. Visit the UCL200 website to explore the full programme and learn how you can get involved.
To see how UCL Laws is contributing to this landmark year — with events, stories, and initiatives highlighting two centuries of legal scholarship and impact — visit the UCL Laws UCL200 page.
Photo by Darya Sannikova
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All