[Conference] 15th Anniversary of the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence, delivered on 22 July 2010, represents a milestone in international law and diplomacy.

The Advisory Opinion, requested by the United Nations General Assembly on 8 October 2008 (resolution 63/3), addressed the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from the Republic of Serbia, concluding that 'the declaration of independence of Kosovo adopted on 17 February 2008 did not violate international law'.

Navigating a delicate terrain of questions as complex as sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity, the Court highlighted the specificity of the circumstances that led to Kosovo’s declaration of independence, in light of the evolving framework of international law.

On the occasion of its 15th anniversary, this conference seeks to uncover the rationale behind the Court’s Advisory Opinion, its impact in the immediate Kosovo context, and its reception by the wider international community.

The Conference on the 15th Anniversary of the ICJ Advisory Opinion aims to:

Draw reflections on the legal reasoning and conclusions of the World Court and their implications for international law
Analyse the relevance of the Advisory Opinion in shaping the contemporary domain of international relations
Highlight the role of international legal institutions and mechanisms in the resolution of disputes
Enhance the understanding of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion and its legal and political consequences in the regional and broader international context
Create a constructive space for exchanges of opinions and ideas between jurists, diplomats, international law experts and academicians on the covered topic
Identify opportunities to translate the observations underlined in the Advisory Opinion to promote peaceful resolution strategies of international legal disputes

The conference will include keynote addresses, panel discussions and breakout sessions. Panellists will include esteemed personalities of the judicial world, diplomatic missions, academia, and experts in international law.

Welcoming remarks will be given by H.E. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in the Netherlands. The conference will be held in the format of a panel discussion between experts on the topic, providing different perspectives and expertise on the theme. It will be followed by a semi-formal reception.

Guest speakers:

Mr Michael Wood, barrister at Twenty Essex, London and Honorary Fellow of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at the University of Cambridge
Dr Daniel Muller, founding partner of FAR Avocats
Prof. Jude Vidmar, chair of public international law at Maastricht University
Prof. Vjosa Musliu, associate professor of international relations at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Prof. Qerim Qerimi, professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Pristina in Kosovo and Vice Rector of the University
Dr Kushtrim Istrefi, assistant professor of Human Rights Law and Public International Law at Utrecht University and substitute member of the Venice Commission
H. E. Pieter Feith, former Dutch diplomat serving as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) and as the International Civilian Representative in Kosovo.

Venue: T. M. C. Asser Institute - Centre for International & European Law
Address: R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan 20-22, 2517 JN Den Haag
Guest arrival: 10:30 at the Asser Institute
Programme duration: 11:00 – 13:30 CET

The present event is organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo and co-hosted by T. M. C. Asser Institute Centre for International & European Law

Who should attend?

Representatives of the diplomatic community, representatives of Dutch institutions, representatives of academic institutions based in The Netherlands, representatives of international organisations based in The Netherlands as well as representatives of civil society.