2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Fellows and the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Fellow

On 26 June 2026, the United Nations Legal Counsel met with the 2026 United Nations–Nippon Foundation Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea Fellows and the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Fellow.

This year's cohort brings together 14 Fellows—7 from Africa, 5 from Asia and the Pacific, and 2 from Latin America and the Caribbean—including participants from small island developing States and least developed countries. The participants also include nine women and five men, further enriching the diversity of perspectives represented. The professional backgrounds of the fellows span law, diplomacy, and marine sciences and it is further strengthened by their experience across a wide range of sectors, including government institutions, scientific and research organizations, academia, and civil society.

The Fellows were hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, for the first phase of their nine-month fellowships. They will now continue their programmes through December at one of the academic Host Institutions, where they will undertake research on ocean affairs and the law of the sea on topics of particular relevance to their countries and regions.

During the meeting, the Fellows had the opportunity to engage in a rich and interactive discussion with the Legal Counsel. Following introductions and presentations of their research topics, the discussion addressed the work of the Office of Legal Affairs, the opportunities and challenges shaping the evolving landscape of ocean affairs and the law of the sea and the promotion of gender equality and an inclusive working environment.