United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization in Tokyo, Japan

United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization in Tokyo, Japan
 

8-11 October 2018

From 8 to 11 October 2018, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Tokyo at the invitation of the Government of Japan to participate in the 57th annual session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO). The Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat has a long-standing relationship of close cooperation with AALCO and, whenever possible, the Legal Counsel or the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs participate in the annual session.

In his keynote address during the inaugural session on 9 October 2018, Mr. Serpa Soares focused on the critical importance of establishing and fostering the rule of law featuring concrete projects in Asia and Africa. He called AALCO an essential partner for the United Nations in promoting development of, and respect for, international law, which is the foundation for peaceful relations among States.

On 10 October 2018, Mr. Serpa Soares addressed the third general meeting of the AALCO plenary on the agenda item “peaceful settlement of disputes” . This item had been included at the request of the Government of Japan.

In the margins of the 57th annual meeting, Mr. Serpa Soares, held a number of informal meetings, including with the Director-General of the International Legal Affairs Bureau in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Mikami, the Deputy Director-General, Mr. Okano, and the Secretary-General of AALCO, Mr. Gastorn. He further had a meeting with the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Akiba. Together with the Ministerial-level participants of the session, Mr. Serpa Soares was received by the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe.

While in Tokyo, Mr. Serpa Soares also visited the United Nations University (UNU) where he met with Dr. David Malone, Rector of the UNU. Mr. Serpa Soares further met with Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, to express gratitude for the continued support for the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme and the Sustainable Ocean Programme.