International Workshop on the New Developments of the Law of the Sea Successfully Held at Xiamen University

The South China Sea Institute of the Xiamen University hosted an International Workshop on the New Developments of the Law of the Sea, on 24^th-25^thApril, 2014, in Xiamen, P.R. China. The Workshop was attended by prominent practitioners, jurists and scholars specializing in Oceans Law and Policy. The institute was proud to host high officials from International Seabed Authority, Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, judges and jurists from International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, China Institute of Marine Affairs, China Geological Survey and China State Oceanic Administration; and several renowned professors, lawyers and scientists belonging to universities and institutions from all around the globe, such as Asia- Africa Legal Consultative Organization, Nigerian National Boundary Commission, Dalhousie University (Canada), University of Maine (USA), University of Western Australia, University of Austral (Argentina), Shanghai Ocean University, Wuhan University, Zhongshan University, Zhengjiang University, and Xiamen University among others.

The major themes pondered upon in the conference were-:

Session 1 - New Developments in the Continental Shelf Regime moderated by Dr. Zhiguo Gao, Judge, ITLOS, and commented upon by Prof. Aldo Chircop of Dalhousie University.

Session 2 - New Developments in the Legal Regime of International Seabed Area moderated by Dr. Hurtado, Member, CLCS, and commented upon by Mr. Jose Luis Jesus, Judge, ITLOS.

Session 3:Dispute Settlement under the Law of the Sea moderated by H.E. Mr. Nii A. Odunton, Secretary General, ISA, and commented upon by Mr. Vladimir Jares, Deputy Director, UNDOALOS.

Session 4:The Law of the Sea in the Era of Rapid Development of Marine Science and Technology moderated by Prof. Keun-chen Fu, Dean, SCSI, and commented upon by Prof. Yann-huei Song, Academica Sinica, Taipei.

The sessions witnessed impassioned debate and discussions from participants and panelists alike, which often spilled over to the lunch and dinner parties thrown by SCSI. The Workshop was concluded by a guided city tour for the participants and closing banquet.

Edited by Arpita Goswami