Contours of International Law: Encounters and Evolutions
17 – 21 August 2026
The 2026 biennial conference from August 17 to August 21 offered those taking part in the long-term work of the Association a forum for discussing and further developing the topics addressed in more than 20 committees and study groups, ranging from alternative dispute settlement, global health law, monetary, tax and securities law, artificial intelligence and technology, migration issues to sexual and reproductive violence in conflict and post-conflict scenarios. Therefore, substantial time was reserved for the ILA’s crucial work in both closed and open meetings of committees and study groups throughout the conference.
In addition, plenary panel discussions highlighted evolutions and encounters in the fields of arbitration, indigenous peoples/rights of nature, monetary law, human rights, international organizations, as well as investment law. The conference concluded with a high-level ILA Headquarters plenary panel on current affairs and heared reports from committees and study groups which may include resolutions to be adopted by the Association.
Programme
Monday, 17 August 2026 |
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| 14:00 – 16:00 |
Main Ceremonial Hall, University of Vienna
Opening Address
Christoph Grabenwarter, President of the Austrian Constitutional Court
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| 16:00 – 16:30 |
Refreshment Break
Small Ceremonial Hall, University of Vienna
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| 16:30 – 18:00 |
Main Ceremonial Hall, University of Vienna
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| 18:00 – 20:00 |
Welcome Reception
Arcaded Courtyard of the University of Vienna
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Tuesday, 18 August 2026 |
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| 9:00 – 10:30 |
Open Session
International Tax Law
U 14, Juridicum
Submarine Cables and Pipelines under International Law
U 17, Juridicum
Urbanisation and International Law – Potential & Pitfalls
U 15, Juridicum
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Closed Session
Comparative Diplomatic and Consular Immunities, Privileges and Inviolabilities
Sem 31, Juridicum
Legal Aspects of Space Law Debris Remediation
Sem 33, Juridicum
International Migration and International Law
Sem 41, Juridicum
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| 10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 11:00 – 12:30 |
U10, Juridicum
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| 12:30 – 14:00 |
Break
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| 14:00 – 15:30 |
Open Session
Artificial Intelligence & Technology Law
U 18, Juridicum
Protection of People at Sea
U 11, Juridicum
Global Health Law
U 16, Juridicum
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Closed Session
Business and Human Rights
Sem 42, Juridicum
Urbanisation and International Law – Potential & Pitfalls
Sem 33, Juridicum
International Tax Law
Sem 43, Juridicum
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| 15:30 – 16:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 16:00 – 17:30 |
U10, Juridicum
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| 19:00 | ||
Wednesday, 19 August 2026 |
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| 9:00 – 10:30 |
Open Session
Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict
U 17, Juridicum
International Migration and International Law
U 15, Juridicum
Comparative Diplomatic and Consular Immunities, Privileges and Inviolabilities
U 16, Juridicum
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Closed Session
Alternative Dispute Resolution in International Law
Sem 31, Juridicum
Artificial Intelligence & Technology Law
Sem 34, Juridicum
Protection of People at Sea
Sem 41, Juridicum
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| 10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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|
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
U10, Juridicum
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|
| 12:30 – 14:00 |
Break
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| 14:00 – 15:30 |
Open Sessions
Business and Human Rights
U 11, Juridicum
International Securities Regulation
U 12, Juridicum
Enforcing the Rights of Children in Migration
U 14, Juridicum
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Closed Sessions
Use of Force (Military Action with Consent)
Sem 34, Juridicum
Rule of Law in International Relations
Sem 31, Juridicum
International Law, Human Rights & Islands
Sem 43, Juridicum
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| 15.30 – 16:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 16:00 – 17:30 |
U10, Juridicum
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|
| 19:00 |
Keynote Address: Georg Kodek, President of the Austrian Supreme Court
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Thursday, 20 August 2026 |
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| 9:00 – 10:30 |
Open Session
Joint Session of International Monetary Law and International Securities Regulation in memory of Cynthia Lichtenstein
U 11, Juridicum
International law for the SDGs
Sem 33, Juridicum
Use of Force (Military Action with Consent)
U 18, Juridicum
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Closed Session
Sexual & Reproductive Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings
Sem 43, Juridicum
Enforcing the Rights of Children in Migration
Sem 41, Juridicum
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| 10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 11:00 – 12:30 |
U10, Juridicum
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| 12:30 – 14:00 |
Break
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|
| 13:00 – 14:00 |
Celebrating 20 Years of International Law in Domestic Courts
Special lunchtime event
U18, Juridicum
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|
| 14:00 – 15:30 |
Open Sessions
International Law, Human Rights & Islands
U 11, Juridicum
International Monetary Law
U 15, Juridicum
Consumer Protection
U 17, Juridicum
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Closed Sessions
Rights of Nature
Sem 31, Juridicum
Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict
Sem 34, Juridicum
Global Health Law
Sem 42, Juridicum
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| 15.30 – 16:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 16:00 – 17:30 |
Open Sessions
Rule of Law in International Relations
U 18, Juridicum
Alternative Dispute Resolution in International Law
U 14, Juridicum
International law for the SDGs
U 11, Juridicum
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Closed Sessions
Submarine Cables and Pipelines under International Law
Sem 41, Juridicum
Conflicts of Law Issues in International Arbitration
Sem 43, Juridicum
Consumer Protection
Sem 33, Juridicum
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| 19:00 |
Embassy Evening / Committee Dinners
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Friday, 21 August 2026 |
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| 10:00 – 12:00 |
Plenary Discussion of ILA Resolutions
U10, Juridicum
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| 12:00 – 14:00 |
Break
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| 16:30 – 18:00 |
U10, Juridicum
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| 15:30 – 16:00 |
Coffee Break
Basement & Top Floor, Juridicum
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| 16:00 – 17:30 |
Adoption of Resolutions, ILA Scholars, Closing Remarks
U10, Juridicum
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Saturday, 22 August 2026 |
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| 9:00–18:00 |
Medieval & Baroque Highlights near Vienna and their International Law Background
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