The conference began with the Opening Ceremony & Keynote at the University of Vienna’s Großer Festsaal (Main Ceremonial Hall) — a truly fitting setting, surrounded by its beautiful historic frescoes. The opening speeches reflected on the long history of the International Law Association in Austria: the last biennial ILA conference in the city took place exactly 100 years ago, in 1926.
The ceremony brought together distinguished figures from the University of Vienna and the International Law Association, including:
- Sebastian Schütze, Rector, University of Vienna
- Zöchling-Jud Brigitta, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Vienna
- August Reinisch, President of ILA Austria and (New) President of the ILA
- Maria Gavouneli, (Former) President, ILA
- Christine Chinkin, Executive Chair, ILA
- Lucas Lixinski, Director of Studies, ILA
The ceremony concluded with a keynote address by Christoph Grabenwarter, President of the Austrian Constitutional Court, who offered thought-provoking reflections on the relationship between Austrian constitutional law and international law.
