Seminar with Robert Harris on International Law of the Sea

On Friday, February 21st, the Faculty of International Law held a seminar on the International Law of the Sea with Mr. Robert Harris, a Legal Advisor at the Department of State, the United States of America. Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, lecturers and students from the Faculty, and researchers from the East Sea Institute also attended the seminar.

In her welcoming remarks, the Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh introduced Mr. Robert Harris, highlighting his profound professional profile in both academia and legal practice. Responding to her introduction, Mr. Robert Harris emphasized the importance of the Law of the Sea in maintaining order over maritime governance. He also addressed key issues in the South China Sea, stressing their significant impact on international peace and security, as territorial disputes and conflicting maritime claims continue to challenge regional stability and global legal norms.

In his speech, Mr. Robert Harris pointed out that the Law of the Sea has evolved from early concepts of open ocean use to a structured legal framework under UNCLOS. He highlighted the development of the Law of the Sea as a vital branch of international law chronologically. Furthermore, Mr. Robert Harris indicated that the UNCLOS provided compulsory dispute resolution mechanisms, though nations like the U.S. followed its principles without ratifying them. Ongoing challenges such as freedom of navigation and maritime security were also included in his lecture. Mr. Robert Harris had such an impressive teaching style that all the students were astonished at his thorough knowledge of the Law of the Sea and his practical experiences as a legal advisor.

During the Q&A session, discussions centered on the interconnection between the Law of the Sea and other branches of Public International Law, emphasizing how maritime law evolves alongside broader legal frameworks. Both speakers, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh and Mr. Robert Harris shared practical experiences, illustrating real-world applications of the Law of the Sea principles in resolving disputes and shaping policy.

Furthermore, as the discussions went beyond the topic of the Law of the Sea and mentioned the future development of international law in Vietnam, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh highlighted that she would be content to meet Mr. Robert Harris in other seminars related to international law at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

The seminar was undeniably a precious opportunity for international law students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam to widen their horizons.