Professor Mārtiņš Paparinskis elected Chair of UN International Law Commission

UCL Laws’ Mārtiņš Paparinskis, Professor of Public International Law, has been recognised globally by being elected as the Chair of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC) for 2025. 

The ILC was established by the UN General Assembly in 1947. It undertakes the mandate of the Assembly, the promotion of the progressive development of international law and its codification. It is composed of 34 legal experts who are voted onto the Commission by the UN member states in the General Assembly for a five-year term. Professor Paparinskis was elected Chair for the 76th annual session of the ILC, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in April and May. 

Professor Mārtiņš Paparinskis said: “I am delighted and grateful to have been elected the Chair of the International Law Commission. The Commission plays a key role in shaping the legal framework for international relations, facilitating cooperation between States and addressing shared challenges. It has been a great honour to contribute as Chair and work with my esteemed colleagues on these important issues.” 

Professor Eloise Scotford, Dean of UCL Laws, said: “We are immensely proud of Professor Paparinskis for the huge honour of being elected Chair of the International Law Commission. It is critically important for legal experts to come together to seek answers to the latest global challenges, and to promote a just system of international relations. The ILC is vital in upholding these values, and for Professor Paparinskis to be recognised on the global stage is a testament to his exceptional expertise in the field of international law.” 

Since its establishment, the ILC has contributed in important ways to the development of public international law, both on foundational issues of sources, subjects, responsibility and disputes, and within specialist fields such as law of the sea, diplomatic and consular law, international criminal law, and international environmental law. 

Topics covered during the 76th annual session included:  

• Immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdictions 
• Sea-level rise in relation to international law 
• General principles of law 
• Subsidiary means for the determination of rules of international law

Find out more 

• Learn more about Professor Mārtiņš Paparinskis
• Explore the International Law Commission