Closing of the 10th Asian Society of International Law Biennial Conference in Hanoi: Asia Affirms Its Pioneering Role in Strengthening International Law

Continuing the success of the first day, the second day opened with a ceremonial address by Mr. Dang Hoang Giang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized the significance of the Conference taking place at a time when the world is confronted with numerous challenges. In such a context, the Vice Minister underscored that Asia is increasingly asserting its role as an active actor in the development and implementation of international law. From shaping global trade norms through free trade agreements, to promoting the law of the sea, climate change law, human rights, and regional security cooperation within ASEAN and other mechanisms, Asia is demonstrating how its approach can enrich international law through mutual respect and cooperation.

The second plenary session of the Conference, held on the morning of 10 October under the theme “Asian International Law in a Multipolar Global Order: Intercivilizational Approaches,” was co-chaired by Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung, President of AsianSIL, and Professor Keun-Gwan Lee, Member of the UN International Law Commission. This plenary brought together leading Asian scholars across diverse fields—from general public international law to international criminal law and international trade law—such as Professor Raul Pangalangan (former Judge of the International Criminal Court, Philippines), Professor Upendra Dev Acharya (Gonzaga University, United States), Professor Venkatachala G. Hegde (Jawaharlal Nehru University, India), and Professor Araki Ichiro (National Yokohama University, Japan). The scholars discussed the challenges Asian states face as they enter a new phase of “voice assertion,” not only as implementers but also as shapers of international law in the decades ahead.

Closing Remarks: Spreading a Spirit of Cooperation, Responsibility, and Hope

At the Closing Session, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh – Vice President of the Asian Society of International Law – expressed her pride and emotion in witnessing the Conference’s success in Hanoi. She noted that Asia is contributing ideas, shaping norms, and sharing practices that enrich global legal development. In a world undergoing profound turbulence, Asia bears both responsibility and opportunity to demonstrate that international law can remain a foundation for order, cooperation, and justice.

In her Closing Address, Ambassador Pham Lan Dung emphasized: “This Conference reminds us that international law is not a distant system of rules, but a framework shaped by those who participate in it. The voices we have heard here—from judges, scholars, diplomats, practitioners, to young researchers—affirm that Asia’s contributions are not optional; they are essential for the vitality and legitimacy of international law in the twenty-first century.” She also expressed gratitude to partners and sponsors such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation, Foley Hoag, and PVcomBank for their significant support to the Conference’s success.

Vietnam’s Mark – A New Height for Asian Scholarship

“Let us continue to nurture and amplify Asia’s contributions to the development of global international law, while reaffirming our shared goal—to uphold law as the foundation of stability, justice, and cooperation in Asia and across the world,” Ambassador Pham Lan Dung concluded.

By successfully hosting the 10th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law, Viet Nam has demonstrated not only its organizational capability but also its academic contributions and spirit of international integration, further affirming its growing position within both regional and global international law communities.

AsianSIL 2025 in Hanoi has come to a close, but the spirit of scholarship, cooperation, and regional responsibility will continue to resonate—serving as a powerful affirmation that Asia is not only a participant but also a co-architect of the global legal order.