On October 1, 2026, Professor Slim Laghmani, along with four other newly elected members, took the oath of office at a public ceremony held at the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg. The new members, who include Sylvia Ama Adusu of Ghana, George Rodrigo Bandeira Galindo of Brazil, Lan-Anh Thi Nguyen of Vietnam, and Bimal N. Patel of India, were elected during the 36th meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of their nine-year term, which commenced on October 1, 2026. As members of the Tribunal, they are expected to exercise their duties with full impartiality and conscience. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an important organ for the settlement of disputes related to the law of the sea, and its members play a crucial role in promoting the rule of law in the world's oceans.
Professor Slim Laghmani, a renowned expert in international law, was elected as a member of the Tribunal with the support of the African Union. His election is seen as a significant achievement for Tunisia, and he is expected to contribute to the development of the law of the sea from a Southern perspective. The Tribunal has jurisdiction over a wide range of matters, including disputes related to maritime boundaries, navigation, and the protection of the marine environment.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has 21 members, who are elected by the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The members are chosen for their expertise in international law and their ability to exercise their duties with impartiality and independence. The Tribunal has its seat in Hamburg, Germany, and is responsible for settling disputes related to the law of the sea through peaceful means.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by representatives of the States Parties to the Convention, as well as other dignitaries. The new members of the Tribunal have a significant role to play in promoting the rule of law in the world's oceans and in resolving disputes related to the law of the sea. They will work closely with the other members of the Tribunal to ensure that the Tribunal continues to function effectively and efficiently.
Professor Laghmani's election to the Tribunal is a recognition of his expertise and experience in international law. He has written extensively on various aspects of international law, including the law of the sea, and has taught at several universities. His appointment to the Tribunal is expected to enhance the representation of Southern countries in the Tribunal and to promote a more diverse and inclusive approach to the development of the law of the sea.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea plays a critical role in promoting the rule of law in the world's oceans. Its work has significant implications for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, as well as for the protection of the marine environment. The Tribunal's decisions and judgments are expected to contribute to the development of a more coherent and consistent approach to the law of the sea.
Key points
- Professor Slim Laghmani, a Tunisian expert in international law, has been sworn in as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for a nine-year term.
