On 26 and 27 September 2024 the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies hosted the 'H2OLAW Conference: Law-Science Interfaces within the Law of the Sea and Fresh Water Law' at Leiden University. The conference marked the launch of a multi-year research project led by Dr. Hilde Woker and Dr. Jason Rudall, funded by a Dutch government starting grant.
The conference opened on a high note with a keynote address delivered by Tomas Heidar, the President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Drawing on ITLOS jurisprudence, Judge Heidar examined the intersections between science and the law of the sea, setting an engaging tone for the discussions that followed. Over the two days, the speakers delved into pressing and timely topics such as marine pollution, biodiversity, access and exploitation of natural resources, maritime delimitation, climate change, etc. The sessions fostered meaningful discussions with the audience filled with professionals, academics, and students who introduced new perspectives on the emerging challenges.
The conference concluded with a delightful boat tour along the canals of Leiden. The conference aimed and succeeded in bringing together researchers from both the law of the sea and fresh water law, who recognize the significant role of law and science in shaping sustainable management of natural resources. The speakers coming from different continents and professional backgrounds illustrated the common law-science challenges in salt and fresh water governance and emphasized the need for coordinated solutions despite the differences between the two legal regimes. By laying the groundwork for future cooperation, the H2OLAW Conference stands as a significant step toward a better exchange, collaboration, and integration between the law of the sea and fresh water law.
We thank all the speakers, participants, and moderators for their valuable contributions and look forward to continuing this dialogue in the years ahead.
