Announcement for a lecture
by Mr. Shi Jiuyong, President of the International Court of Justice

To be held on Wednesday, 14 April 2004, 16.00-17.15 hours
At: U Thant Hall, United Nations University

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations University will be jointly organizing the a lecture by Mr. Shi Jiuyong, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which will be held on Wednesday, 14 April 2004 from 1600 - 1715 hours at the United Nations University in Tokyo.

The lecture on "Asia and the International Court of Justice" is intended to review the history of Asia's relations with the International Court of Justice, which was established in 1945, under the Charter of the United Nations, to be the principal judicial organ of the Organization.

President Shi Jiuyong has served as a judge at the ICJ since 1994 and has been the President of the Court since 2003. He previously held various academic positions, conducted research at Columbia University, and was a Professor of international law at the Foreign Affairs College in Beijing and a Professor of Law at the Foreign Economic Law Training Centre of the Chinese Ministry of Justice in Beijing. President Shi was a member, rapporteur and President of the International Law Commission.

In his lecture, President Shi will present his analysis of the relations between Asian countries and the ICJ. The lecture will highlight the role played by Asian countries in the promotion of principles, such as, the peaceful settlement of international disputes. From Japan's active participation in the drafting of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice to the pending case of the Sovereignty over Pedra Blanca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore), President Shi will illustrate his lecture with law cases, and review the recent history of the International Court of Justice.

The lecture will be given in English and followed by a Question and Answer session. It is open to anyone with interests on international law or international politics. To participate, please send the Application Form [PDF] to the secretariat in the United Nations University (Fax: 03-3499-2828 or Email: presidentshi@hq.unu.edu) by Monday, 12 April 2004.

Hans van Ginkel
Rector
United Nations University

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