At the invitation of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA), the Legal Counsel participated in the opening event of the International Law Weekend 2019, which was held in New York City from 10 to 12 October.
During the opening plenary panel moderated by ABILA President Leila Sadat, Mr. Serpa Soares shared with the attendants his reflections on the resilience of international law. The Legal Counsel highlighted also the recent developments of the proposals of the Secretary-General in order to achieve a 21st-century United Nations, focused more on people and delivery of results and less on process.
Mr. Serpa Soares also referred to current challenges to the international order and the multilateral system, including climate change, armed conflicts and threats to peace and security.
On Friday 11 October, the Legal Counsel was invited by the Permanent Mission of Singapore to address the participants of International Law Weekend during a reception offered by the Mission.
Mr. Serpa Soares stressed on this occasion the importance of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the UN as an opportunity to reflect on how the experience and lessons of the past, including those related to rules-based international order, fully equip ourselves for the challenges of the present century.
