The Centre for International Law (CIL) was established in 2009 at the
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the c ...
, in response to the growing need for
international law
International law (also known as public international law and the law of nations) is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally recognized as binding between states. It establishes normative guidelines and a common conceptual framework for ...
expertise and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region.
[CIL noted in Hansard (Parliament Reports) Singapore](_blank)
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The CIL engages in research and capacity building on international law
International law (also known as public international law and the law of nations) is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally recognized as binding between states. It establishes normative guidelines and a common conceptual framework for ...
and policy. The Centre organises conferences, seminars and forums to encourage dialogue and the sharing of information on significant international law and policy issues affecting South East Asia
Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainland ...
or the Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the part of the world near the western Pacific Ocean. The Asia-Pacific region varies in area depending on context, but it generally includes East Asia, Russian Far East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific Isla ...
region. The Centre also collaborates with a network of partner organisations in Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
and overseas to further the development of international law and policy thought leadership in the region.[Ministry of Education, Singapore: Speeches](_blank)
["S'pore to set up new centre for international law"](_blank)
Straits Times, 28 February 2008
Organization
Since January 2020
Dr Nilüfer Oral
has been the CIL Director. Dr Oral is a member of th
International Law Commission
(ILC), Second Vice-Chair of the ILC, and Co-Chair of the ILC Study Group on Sea-Level Rise in relation to International Law. She took over the CIL directorship from Professo
Lucy Reed
a globally renowned arbitration lawyer.
Emeritus Professor Robert C Beckman, the first CIL Director, continues to head CIL's Ocean Law and Policy programme.
Professor Tommy Koh and Professor S Jayakumar chair the CIL Governing Board and International Advisory Panel respectively.
Focus Areas
The CIL's research focuses on the following thematic areas:
* ASEAN Law and Policy
* Ocean Law and Policy
* Investment Law and Policy
* International Law and Practice, which includes International Dispute Resolution, Nuclear Law and Policy, and Teaching and Researching International Law in Asia (TRILA)
The Centre maintains
document database
an online searchable resource of ASEAN Documents and International Law Documents.
References
External links
Centre for International Law (''CIL'')
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National University of Singapore
Research institutes in Singapore