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You will be redirected to the new website shortly. If the redirection does not work please feel free to click this link <a href="http://www.un.org/ola">UN OLA Website </a> </div> On 10 October 2020, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat and the German Federal Foreign Office have partnered to organize a conference on "Effective Multilateralism and International Law"         <a href="lc_09_Oct-2020_UN-at-75.aspx" title="The UN at 75 Berlin" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, through its Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), and Norway, have entered into an agreement to provide support to developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in building sustainable ocean-based economies through a series of capacity-building trainings to be organized over a four year period.    <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/Clean_Joint_ PRelease_Norway-DOALOS_Rev280920.pdf" title="OLA and Norway agreement" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 30 June 2020, The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addressed the 37th Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations, jointly organized by International Committee of the Red Cross and New York University School of Law    <a href="https://youtu.be/Rwe8QfkqS0w" title="Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the 37th Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations" target="_self">Learn more</a> On Tuesday 4 February 2020, Yale Law School organized a conversation between United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel Serpa Soares, and Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling Professor of International Law.    <a href="lc_04_Feb-2020_Visit_Yale.aspx" title="The UN Legal Counsel at Yale Law School" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 3 February 2020, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, delivered opening remarks at the first plenary meeting of the fifty-second session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.    <a href="lc_03_Feb-2020_CLCS_opening.aspx" title="Opening of the fifty-second session of CLCS" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by the international community regarding the rights of the child since its adoption, in 1989, as well as the challenges that remain in achieving its full implementation.     <a href="lc_20-Nov-2019_AVL_Convention-rights-children.aspx" title="30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at AVL" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On Friday 15 November 2019, the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs organized the "Seminar on Treaty Law and Practice: The Work of the Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs"     <a href="lc_15_Nov-2019_Seminar-Treaty-law-practice.aspx" title="Seminar on Treaty Law and Practice draws" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 13 November 2019, the Office of Legal Affairs organized a lunch and learn series for staff members with a presentation by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) New York, NY.     <a href="lc_13_Nov-2019_AIIB_presentation.aspx" title="Lunch and learn series for staff members in OLA" target="_blank">Learn more</a> At the invitation of the American Society of International Law, the Legal Counsel participated in discussions with students, international law practitioners and academics at Brooklyn Law School on 8 November 2019.     <a href="lc_08_Nov-2019_ASIL-BrooklynLaw.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visited Brooklyn Law School" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, participates in the International Law Weekend 2019, held in New York, NY.     <a href="lc_10-12_Oct-2019_ILWeekend.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel participated in the International Law Weekend 2019" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, participates in the Second World Meeting of Societies for International Law, held in The Hague, Netherlands     <a href="lc_02-03_Sep-2019_Hague.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visited The Hague" target="_blank">Learn more</a> At the invitation Mr. Roman Kolodkin, Judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea who is also a Member of the Advisory Board of the International and Comparative Law Research Center, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Moscow from 5 to 8 August 2019,     <a href="lc_05-08_Aug-2019_Moscow.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visited Kingston, Jamaica" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 24 and 25 July, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Kingston, Jamaica. The main purpose of Mr. Serpa Soares's visit to Kingston was to participate in the events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the establishment of the International Seabed Authority, alongside Heads of State and Government, ministers,     <a href="lc_07-25-2019_ISA_25th_Kingston.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visited Kingston, Jamaica" target="_blank">Learn more</a> From 17 to 19 June 2019, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited London, United Kingdom. The main purpose of Mr. Serpa Soares's visit to London was to chair the 2019 meeting of the Legal Advisers of the Specialized, Related and other Organizations of the United Nations System.     <a href="lc_06-19-2019_London_IMO.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visited London, United Kingdom" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 10 and 11 June 2019, The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) hosted an annual meeting of the Senior Legal Advisors and Legal Advisers of UN peace operations at United Nations Headquarters in New York.     <a href="lc_06-10-2019_UNHQ_FLO.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel hosted Field Legal advisors" target="_blank">Learn more</a> During the week of 3 to 9 June 2019, the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, led and participated in United Nations World Oceans Day at the United Nations Headquarters and a number of events throughout New York City marking World Oceans Week.     <a href="lc_06-07-2019_UNWOD.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel during Wold Oceans Week" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, made a statement by video conference at the 3473rd meeting of the International Law Commission, held on 4 June 2019, in which he provided information on the activities of the Office of Legal Affairs as well as regarding recent developments in international law, in the context of the United Nations. An exchange of views followed     <a href="lc_06-04-2019_ILC.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel ILC statement" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, introduces and moderates a panel discussion on the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia on 31 May 2019.     <a href="lc_05-31-2019_ECCC.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel at Panel discussion on ECCC" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 23 May 2019, United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, participated as keynote speaker at an event celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Canada and Colombia to the United Nations.     <a href="lc_05-2019_Vienna-Convention.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel at celebration of Vienna convention 50 years" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited People's Republic of China from 23 to 26 April 2019.     <a href="lc_04-2019_China.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits China" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 20 March 2019, United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the 36th Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Legal Advisers and other Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations     <a href="lc_20-March-2019_New_York.aspx" title="The 36th Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Legal Advisers and other Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel makes working visits to The Hague (the Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium) from 16 to 25 January 2019.     <a href="lc-01-2019-The-Hague.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits The Hague(the Netherlands) and Brussels(Belgium)" target="_blank">Learn more</a> From 14 to 19 November 2018, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, to attend the delivery of the judgement by the Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in Case 002/02 against NUON Chea and KHIEU Samphan, and Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, and to open the Regional Course in International Law for Asia-Pacific       <a href="lc-12-2018-PhnomPenh-Bangkok.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits Phnom Penh and Bangkok" target="_blank">Learn more</a> International Law Week and 29th Informal Meeting of Legal Advisers    <a href="lc-ILW-ILAW-10-2018.aspx" title="International Law Week and 29th Informal Meeting of Legal Advisers" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel visits Banjul (The Gambia), Dakar (Senegal) and Paris (France)     <a href="lc-Banjul-Dakar-Paris-10-2018.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits Banjul (The Gambia), Dakar (Senegal) and Paris (France) from 15-18 October 2018" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization in Tokyo, Japan     <a href="lc-AALCO-Tokyo-10-2018.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel participates in 57th session of AALCO 2018" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, convened the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) for a Town Hall meeting. Colleagues from the International Trade Law Division based in Vienna participated via video link      <a href="lc-2018-Town_Hall-04-10-2018.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel chairs the 2018 OLA Town Hall" target="_blank">Learn more</a> Visit of the United Nations Legal Counsel to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg and the VII Colloquium of the International Association of the Law of the Sea in Lisbon       <a href="lc-Hamburg-Lisbon-September-2018.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel visits the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg and the VII Colloquium of the International Association of the Law of the Sea in Lisbon" target="_blank">Learn more</a> 1st Session of the Intergovernmental Conference on an International Legally Binding Instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)       <a href="lc-BBNJ-04-09-2018.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel Opening Remarks to the 1st BBNJ Conference" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel visits Geneva, Switzerland, Vienna, Austria, and The Hague, Netherlands       <a href="lc-europe_Visit-July-2018.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits Europe" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel opens 51st session of UNCITRAL       <a href="lc-51st_UNCITRAL-June-2018.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel opens 51st session of UNCITRAL" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel meets with Nippon Foundation Fellows      <a href="lc-Nippon_Foundation_FellowsL-27-June-2018.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel meets with Nippon Foundation Fellows" target="_blank">Learn more</a> OLA hosts annual meeting of Field Legal Advisers at UNHQ     <a href="lc-FLO_20-22-June-2018.aspx" title="OLA hosts annual meeting of Field Legal Advisers at UNHQ" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares participated in the opening of the 28th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea     <a href="lc-28th-MSP-11-June-2018.aspx" title="Opening of the 28th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" target="_blank">Learn more</a> As Focal Point for UN Oceans, United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares participated in several events on World Oceans Day     <a href="lc-World_Oceans_Day-June-2018.aspx" title="World Oceans day 2018" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, participates in commemorative events to mark the 70th session of the International Law Commission     <a href="lc-ILC70-May-2018.aspx" title="Commemoration of the 70th session of the ILC" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, hosts the leadership of the American Bar Association. <a href="lc-aba-23-04-2018.aspx" title="Aba 2018 meeting at the United Nations in New York" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 16th April 2018, the Legal Counsel of the United Nations, Mr. Serpa Soares, opened the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally     <a href="lc-BBNJ-16-04-2018.aspx" title="Reflection on the work of OLA to the GWU-Law School" target="_blank">Learn more</a> From 8th to 10th April 2018, the Legal Counsel of the United Nations, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Baghdad at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Iraq     <a href="lc-Iraq-visit-08-04-2018.aspx" title="Reflection on the work of OLA to the GWU-Law School" target="_blank">Learn more</a> From 14 to 16 March 2018, the Legal Counsel of the United Nations, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Washington, D.C.Â On this mission, the Legal Counsel was accompanied by his Deputy, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Stephen Mathias.     <a href="lc-GWULS-Refs-14-03-2018.aspx" title="Reflection on the work of OLA to the GWU-Law School" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The legal Counsel delivered an address to the Tenth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects     <a href="AHWGW10-New_York.aspx" title="Tenth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The Legal Counsel Mr. Serpa Soares delivered opening remarks on the first day of the plenary part of the forty-sixth session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on 5 February 2018.<a href="CLCS46_New_York.aspx"> Learn more</a> The Legal Counsel Mr. Serpa Soares accompanied the Secretaryâ€‘General AntÃ³nio Guterres during his official visit to the Netherlands, from the 21 to the 22 December 2017.<a href="lc-netherlands-SG-Visit-21-22-Dec-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On Friday 8th December 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares participated in the event to mark the 69th Anniversary of the Genocide Convention and the<a href="lc-Anniversary_of_the_Genocide_Convention-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On 4th December 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered the keynote address<a href="lc-ICTY_Closure-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On the 4th December 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, accompanied the Secretary-General in the opening of the <a href="lc-sixteen_session_Rome_Statue_ICC-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> From 23 to 27 October 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares attended International Law Week held at the United Nations Headquarters <a href="lc-2017-International_Law_week.aspx"> Learn more</a> From 17 to 20 October 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Hong Kong, SAR, and Beijing in the People's Republic of China<a href="lc-Mission_to_China_17-20_October-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On 13th October 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, participated in OIOS Conference titled "18th Conference of International Investigators" in Glen Cove<a href="lc-2017-Glen_Cove.aspx"> Learn more</a> On 26 September 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, in his capacity as focal point for UN-Oceans, hosted and moderated a side event entitled, Fit for purpose? Looking at the future of UN-Oceans<a href="lc-Oceans-26-Sep-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On 25 September 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, participated in the side event "The International (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" jointly organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations.  <a href="lc-IOC-25-Sep-2017.aspx"> Learn more</a> On 14 September 2017, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, convened the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) for a Town Hall     <a href="lc-2017-TownHall.aspx" title="Office of Legal Affairs holds a Town Hall" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, participated in 40th Round Table on Current Issues of International Humanitarian Law in Sanremo, Italy    <a href="lc-2017-San_Remo_roundtable-7-9Sept.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, participated in 40th Round Table on Current Issues of International Humanitarian Law in Sanremo, Italy" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares visited Juba, Republic of South Sudan on July 20-22, 2017 <a href="lc-Juba-20-22-Jul-2017.aspx" target="_blank" title="Mr. Serpa Soares Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Juba, Republic of South Sudan">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares delivered a keynote address to Session 12 of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, focused on the review of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development   <a href="lc-HLPF_keynote_2017.aspx" target="_blank" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, chaired the three traditional meetings of the networks of Legal Advisers">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, travelled to Europe to visit Sarajevo, Pristina, Mitrovica, Vienna and Geneva  From 22 June to 9 July 2017    <a href="lc-Sarajevo,Pristina,Vienna,Geneva_22June_9July.aspx" target="_blank" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, chaired the three traditional meetings of the networks of Legal Advisers">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, chaired the three traditional meetings of the networks of Legal Advisers     <a href="lc-2017_Legal_advisor_meeting.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, chaired the three traditional meetings of the networks of Legal Advisers" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, took part in the Symposium on the Rule of Law and Sustaining Peace on 15 June 2017 <a href="lc-Symposium-UNDP-ROL-15-June-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares took part in the Symposium on the Rule of Law and Sustaining Peace" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, delivered opening remarks and moderated a side event on the “Choice of procedure under article 287 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”, organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs, on the margins of the twenty-seventh Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on 14 June 2017 <a href="lc-Article287_Remarks_Conv_Law_of_Sea_14-June-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares delivered opening remarks and moderated a side event on the â€œChoice of procedure under article 287 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seaâ€" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, including in his capacity as Special Advisor to the Presidents of the Ocean Conference on oceans and legal matters, as well as UN-Oceans Focal Point participated in many events throughout the week of the United Nations Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Goal 14 (SDG14): “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans and their resources for sustainable development”, the Ocean Conference     <a href="media/info_from_lc/mss/speeches/OceanConference-5-9-June-2017.pdf" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares participated in the Ocean Conference" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, chaired the annual meeting of the network of the Legal Advisers of the Specialized, Related and other Organizations of the UN System on 25 and 26 May 2017     <a href="lc-meeting-LAdvisersOthers-25-May-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares chaired the annual meeting of the network of the Legal Advisers og the UN system" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, travelled to the Central African Republic and Mali to visit the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)     <a href="lc-CAR-MALI-8-12-May-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, travelled to the Central African Republic and Mali" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered opening remarks at the eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects     <a href="lc-8th-AHWgh-Meeting-27-Apr-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered opening remarks at the eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Santiago, Chile, to open the 2017 United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Latin America and the Caribbean     <a href="lc-Chile-26-Apr-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Santiago, Chile, to open the 2017 United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Latin America and the Caribbean" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel , Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Quito, Ecuador, to participate in the inaugural ceremony of the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Ibero-American Countries (COMJIB)     <a href="lc-Ecuador-24t-Apr-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel , Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Quito, Ecuador, to participate in the inaugural ceremony of the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Ibero-American Countries (COMJIB)" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Colombia to familiarize himself with the work of the United Nations Mission in Colombia     <a href="lc-Colombia-20-23-Apr-2017.aspx" title="United Nations, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Colombia to familiarize himself with the work of the United Nations Mission in Colombia" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares delivered the keynote speech at the opening dinner of the Authors Meeting of the Oxford Handbook of United Nations Treaties, held at the Greentree Estate (NY) from 9 to 11 April 2017     <a href="lc-Authors-Handbook-Meeting-9-Apr-2017.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares delivered the keynote speech at the opening dinner of the Authors Meeting of the Oxford Handbook of United Nations Treaties, held at the Greentree Estate (NY) from 9 to 11 April 2017" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered opening remarks at the third session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292: Development of an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction    <a href="lc-3rd-prepComm_BBNJ_DOALOS-2017.aspx" title="delivered opening remarks at the third session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292: Development of an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered two speeches at the Launch of Oceano Azul Foundation: 1. for the Board of Trustees and Directors and 2. for the Group of Estoril and other Ocean Leaders    <a href="lc-Oceano_Azul_Launch_16-17March-2017.aspx" title="Legal Counsel addresses Oceano Azul Foundation " target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the 34th Annual Seminar for Diplomats on International Humanitarian Law jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross    <a href="lc-34thSeminarIHL-NYULaw-2017.aspx" title="Legal Counsel addressed the Second Open Meeting of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel addressed the Second Open Meeting of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in the Trusteeship Council Chamber    <a href="lc-CLCS-20th-anniversary-2017.aspx" title="Legal Counsel addressed the Second Open Meeting of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf" target="_blank">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel attends an Informal briefing by the co-facilitators on the preparations for the preparatory meeting for the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development    <a href="lc-informal-briefing-oceans-2017.aspx" title="LC attends informal briefing on preparation for Oceans conference" target="_self">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the inauguration ceremony for the new premises of the Arusha branch of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals    <a href="lc-InaugurationPremisesArusha-November-2016.aspx" title="2016 International Law Week" target="_self">Learn more</a> The 2016 International Law Week, which was organized by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in the last week of October. The Legal Counsel met with the legal advisers from the capitals and from the Permanent Missions, and discussed with them certain current legal issues that the United Nations is facing     <a href="lc-IntLawWeek-10-2016.aspx" title="2016 International Law Week" target="_self">Learn more</a> Visit by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations Legal Counsel to Hamburg, Germany, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea from 5-7 October 2016     <a href="lc-SG-Hamburg-10-2016.aspx" title="20th anniversary of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea" target="_self">Learn more</a> RTP (Portuguese radio and television network): "The Legal Counsel is Portuguese!" (in Portuguese) <a href="lc-RTP-entrevista-2016.aspx" title="RTP entrevista: SubsecretÃ¡rio-geral da ONU para os Assuntos JurÃdicos" target="_self">Saber mais</a> Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to San Remo, Italy, and Brussels, Belgium - 7 to 16 September 2016 <a href="lc-Brussels-San_Remo-Sept-2016.aspx" title="Mission to Brussels and San Remo by the UN Legal Counsel" target="_self">Learn more</a> Mr. Serpa Soares attends the commemoration of International Criminal Justice Day 14 June 2016    <a href="lc-Commemoration-International-Criminal-Justice-Day-June-2016.aspx" title="Message To Commemorate Of International Criminal Justice Day 14 June 2016 " target="_self">Learn more</a> Fortieth Annual Conference of the Center for Oceans Law & Policy Legal Order in the World's Oceans: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 27-28 June 2016    <a href="lc-LOS-Conf-UNHQ-June-2016.aspx" title="Fortieth Annual Conference of the Center for Oceans Law & Policy Legal Order in the Worldâ€™s Oceans: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 27-28 June 2016 " target="_self">Learn more</a> Mr. Serpa Soares opens the Forty-Ninth session of UNCITRAL    <a href="lc-UNCITRAL-June-2016.aspx" title="Forty-ninth Session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law " target="_self">Learn more</a> OLA hosts annual meeting of Filed Legal Officers at UNHQ from 22 to 24 June 2016    <a href="lc-FLO-UNHQ-June-2016.aspx" title="OLA hosts annual meeting of Field Legal Advisers at UNHQ 22 to 24 June 2016 " target="_self">Learn more</a> The Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, spent almost three weeks at the forefront of supporting oceans and the law of the sea, 1-16 June 2016   <a href="lc-OceansLoS-June-2016.aspx" title="Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, spent almost three weeks at the forefront of supporting oceans and the law of the sea" target="_self">Learn more</a> On 23 May 2016, the Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, addressed the Resumed Review Conference on the Fish Stocks Agreement    <a href="lc-ResumedConference-May-2016.aspx" title="Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, addressed the Resumed Review Conference on the Fish Stocks Agreement" target="_self">Learn more</a> Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Port Louis, Mauritius; Lisbon, Portugal; and Geneva, Switzerland 8 to 18 May 2016    <a href="lc-Mauritius-Lisbon-Switzerland-May-2016.aspx" title="Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Port Louis, Mauritius; Lisbon, Portugal; and Geneva, Switzerland 8 to 18 May 2016" target="_self">Learn more</a> Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Rome, Italy, and The Hague, Netherlands 14 to 21 April 2016    <a href="lc-RomeItalyHague-April-2016.aspx" title="Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Rome, Italy, and The Hague, Netherlands 14 to 21 April 2016" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, hosts ABA Day 2016 at United Nations Headquarters.    <a href="lc-ABA-Day-2016.aspx" title="Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, hosts ABA Day 2016 at United Nations Headquarters" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the 33rd Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations, 16 March 2016    <a href="lc-NY-ICRC-March-2016.aspx" title="Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the 33rd Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visits Cyprus, Israel and Lebanon from 28 February to 10 March 2016    <a href="lc-CIL-Feb-March-2016.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel visits Cyprus, Israel and Lebanon 28 February- 10 March 2016" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, addresses the New York Law School, 18 February 2016    <a href="lc-NYLawSchool-Feb-2016.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel visits Washington D.C. 11-14 February 2016" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visits Washington D.C. from 11 to 14 February 2016 <a href="lc-WashingtonDC-Feb-2016.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel visits Washington D.C. 11-14 February 2016" target="_self">Learn more</a> Fortieth session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. <a href="lc-CLCS-40th-Feb-2016.aspx" title="UN Legal Council Opening Remarks at the Fortieth Session of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, starts his outreach activities in the New Year with a visit on 21 January 2016 to the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia. <a href="lc-UPenn-01-2016.aspx" title="UN Legal Counsel visits University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the commemoration events marking the official closure of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda   <a href="lc-Arusha-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel participates in the commemoration events marking the official closure of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel participates in "International Law Week" events <a href="lc-IntLawWeek-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel participates in "International Law Week" events" target="_self">Learn more</a> Interview: The United Nations and International Law (in Portuguese) <a href="http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/portuguese/2015/10/entrevista-as-nacoes-unidas-e-o-direito-internacional/" title="United Nations and the International Law" target="_blank">Saber mais</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel joins Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea and Chairman of UNCITRAL in opening a seminar on E-Commerce  <a href="lc-ecommerceRoK-2015.aspx" title="opening a seminar on E-Commerce" target="_blank ">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel attends the UN70 Chatham House-Office of Legal Affairs conference, London <a href="lc-Chatham-Oct-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel attends the UN70 Chatham House-Office of Legal Affairs conference, London" target="_blank">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel addresses the Oxford University Public International Law Discussion Group <a href="lc-Oxford-Oct-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel addresses the Oxford University Public International Law Discussion Group" target="_blank">Learn more</a> Somalia deposits instrument of ratification to the Convention on the Rights of the Child   <a href="lc-somalia-9-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel signs exchange of letters with China" target="_blank ">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel signs exchange of letters with China. <a href="lc-china-uncitral-9-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel signs exchange of letters with China" target="_blank ">Learn more</a> On 8 September 2015, the United Nations Legal Counse delivered a statement at the opening of the Sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole    <a href="lc-ahwgw8-9-2015.aspx" title="statement at the opening of the Sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole" target="_blank ">Learn more</a> United Nations International Law Seminar for Arab States on 8 July 2015   <a href="lc-egypt-2015.aspx" title="The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares and the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta from 29 June to 2 July 2015" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Seoul from 29 June to 2 July 2015    <a href="lc-seoul-2015.aspx" title="The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Seoul from 29 June to 2 July 2015" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered a keynote address at the Colloquium «Formes du droit international: réflexions sur le devenir des travaux de la Commission du droit international des Nations Unies», held in Paris on 22 June 2015    <a href="lc-Paris06-2015.aspx" title="Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered a keynote address at the Colloquium â€œFormes du droit international in Paris on 22 June 2015" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Miguel de Serpa Soares, made introductory remarks at the second of a series of expert panel discussions entitled Responsibility of States: state of play and the way forward, held at United Nations Headquarters on 15 June 2015 <a href="lc-respofstates-2015.aspx" title="Panel: Responsibility of States: state of play and the way forward" target="_self"> Learn more</a> OLA hosts annual meeting of Field Legal Advisers at UNHQ 17 and 19 June 2015 <a href="lc-FLO-18-June-2015.aspx" title="With a focus on the oceans the Legal Counsel visits Lisbon, Portugal, and Paris, France" target="_self"> Learn more</a> Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel meeting with the 2015 United Nations-Nippon Foundation and Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Fellows <a href="lc-DOALOS-Fellows-2015.aspx" title="With a focus on the oceans the Legal Counsel visits Lisbon, Portugal, and Paris, France" target="_self"> Learn more</a> With a focus on the oceans the Legal Counsel visits Lisbon, Portugal, and Paris, France(4 to 9 June 2015)Between 4 and 9 June 2015, the United Nations Legal Counsel attended two important events in Europe which were organized to draw more attention to the importance of the oceans and the law of the sea <a href="lc-lisbon-paris-2015.aspx" title="With a focus on the oceans the Legal Counsel visits Lisbon, Portugal, and Paris, France" target="_self"> Learn more</a> Visit by the Legal Counsel to Nuremberg, Germany (6 and 7 June 2015) <a href="lc-nuremberg-2015.aspx" title="The Legal Counsel visits Nuremberg, Germany" target="_self"> Learn more </a> Visit by the Legal Counsel to St. Petersburg, Russian Federation <a href="lc-russia-ilf-2015.aspx" title="International Law Commission"> Learn more</a> From 4 to 8 May 2015, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Geneva where he met with the International Law Commission, and Vienna where he chaired the 2015 meeting of the Legal Advisers of the United Nations System <a href="lc-ilc-2015.aspx" title="International Law Commission">Learn more</a> Legal Counsel hosts ABA Day 2015 at United Nations Headquarters on 27 April 2015 <a href="lc-aba-day-2015.aspx" title="ABA Day 2015">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited the People’s Republic of China from 12 to 15 April 2015 <a href="lc-china-2015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel visits China">Learn more</a> From 9 to 17 March 2015, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited the DRC, Uganda and Mauritius <a href="lc-africa-032015.aspx" title="Mr. Serpa Soares, visited the DRC, Uganda and Mauritius." target="_self">Learn more</a> On 23 February 2015, the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, and the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Karel van Oosterom signed an agreement <a href="lc-unnetherlands-2015.aspx" title="Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, and H.E. Mr. Karel van Oosterom signed the agreement." target="_self">Learn more</a> On 7 February 2015, the Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, opened the thirty-seventh session of the CLCS <a href="lc-clcs022015.aspx" title="Legal Counsel opens 37th session of UNCLCS" target="_self">Learn more</a> International Criminal Justice events at United Nations Headquarters in New York <a href="lc-unicc-2014.aspx" title="International Criminal Justice events at United Nations Headquarters in New York" target="_self"> Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel visits Tokyo <a href="lc-Tokyo-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel visits Tokyo" target="_self"> Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the commemoration events marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. <a href="lc-ICTR_Legacy-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the commemoration events marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda." target="_self"> Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the 2014 “international law week” at UNHQ. <a href="lc-IntLawWeek-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel participates in the 2014 "international law week" at UNHQ. " target="_self"> Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel addresses AALCO high-level event at UNHQ. <a href="lc-aalco-oct-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel addresses AALCO high-level event at UNHQ" target="_self"> Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel addresses the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly at its opening meeting <a href="lc-sixth-committee-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel addresses the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly" target="_self">Learn more</a> United Nations Legal Counsel speaks at Lisbon University Law School. <a href="lc-lisbon-ila-2014.aspx" title="United Nations Legal Counsel speaks at Lisbon University Law School" target="_self">Learn more</a> Legal Counsel participates in 2014 UN SIDS Conference in Apia, Samoa. <a href="lc-sids-2014.aspx" title="Legal Counsel participates in 2014 UN SIDS Conference in Apia, Samoa" target="_self">Learn more</a> Mr. Serpa Soares participates in 17 July commemoration at UNHQ. <a href="lc-unhq-072014.aspx" title="Mr. Serpa Soares participates in 17 July commemoration at UNHQ" target="_self">Learn more</a> Mr. Serpa Soares in his first interview to UN Radio (in Portuguese) on 11 July 2014. <a href="http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/portuguese/2014/07/novo-jurisconsulto-da-onu-aposta-em-diversidade-como-marca-de-sucesso/#.U8AEafldV8E" title="Novo jurisconsulto da ONU aposta em diversidade como marca de sucesso" target="_blank">Learn more</a> On 7 July 2014, the Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, opened the forty-seventh session of UNCITRAL. <a href="lc-uncitral-2014.aspx" title="47th session of UNCITRAL">Learn more</a> For his upcoming second year in office, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, decided to make ocean affairs and the law of the sea priority issues. <a href="lc-LoS-2014.aspx" title="The Legal Counsel and Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea" target="_blank">Learn more</a> At the invitation of the Government of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Serpa Soares visited Beijing from 26 to 29 May 2014.   <a href="lc-26-May-2014.aspx" title="Visit by the Legal Counsel to Beijing, Peopleâ€™s Republic of China">Learn more</a> On his first mission to Europe from 1 to 16 May 2014 Mr. Serpa Soares visited Hamburg, The Hague, Berlin, Geneva and Ljubljana. <a href="lc-1-16-2014.aspx" title="Visit by the Legal Counsel to Hamburg (Germany), The Hague (The Netherlands), Berlin (Germany), Geneva (Switzerland) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) - 1 to 16 May 2014">Learn more </a> Visit by the United Nations Legal Counsel to Cairo (Egypt), Kigali (Rwanda) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). From 2 to 9 April 2014, Mr. Serpa Soares went on his second mission to Africa since his appointment as United Nations Legal Counsel in September 2013.Â The mission emphasizes the importance that the Legal Counsel attributes to this region and his determination to work very closely with OLA's partners in Africa over the course of his tenure. <a href="lc-042-9-2014.aspx" title="The United Nations Legal Counsel Visits Cairo (Egypt), Kigali (Rwanda) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 2 to 9 April 2014" target="_self">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares speaks at New York Law Schools. <a href="lc-0421-2014.aspx" title="The United Nations Legal Counsel speaks at New York Law Schools" target="_self">Learn more</a> On 19 March 2014, the Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, addressed the 31st Annual Seminar on International Humanitarian Law for Diplomats Accredited to the United Nations. <a href="lc-0320-2014.aspx">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares attends a side event, entitled "The role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in sustainable development" held on 3 February 2014 during the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. <a href="lc-0302-2014.aspx">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares and the Controller visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia. <a href="lc-02-2014.aspx" title="Legal Counsel and the Controller visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia">Learn more</a> The United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visits The Hague, Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Freetown. <a href="lc-12-2013.aspx" title="Legal Counsel's Mission to the 'UN' Courts and Tribunal">Learn more</a> Secretary-General Appoints Miguel de Serpa Soares of Portugal Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sga1429.doc.htm" title="USG for Legal Affairs Miguel de Serpa Soares" target="_blank">Learn more</a> <a href="legal_counsel_mss.aspx" title="Legal Counsel's Recent Activities" target="_self">Recent Activities</a>     <a href="legal_counsel1b.aspx" title="Ms. O'Brien activities" target="_self">Past Activities</a> </td> <td width="14"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="14" height="20"></td> <td width="1" background="images/global/dots_v.gif"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="1" height="20"></td> <td width="14"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="14" height="20"></td> <td width="191" valign="top"><table width="191" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="22"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="22" height="14"></td> <td><img src="images/home/hdr_furtherinfo.gif" alt="Further Information"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="191" height="6"></td> </tr> </table> <table width="200" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" class="furtherInfo"> <tr valign="top"> <td width="12"><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td><a href="legal_counsel.aspx" title="Legal Counsel's speeches" target="_self">Information and Speeches from the Legal Counsel of the United Nations</a > </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td> <a href="publications_2.aspx">Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly</a> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td> <a href="legal_advisers.aspx">Legal Advisers</a> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td> <a href="UNICCCooperation.aspx" title="UN-ICC Cooperation" target="_self">UN-ICC Cooperation</a> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td><a href="publications.aspx">Publications</a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td><a href="archive.aspx" title="Former USG's information" target="_self">Archive </a></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><img src="images/home/arrow_blue.gif" width="12" height="14"></td> <td><a href="employ.aspx" title="Internship inoformation" target="_self">Employment </a></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td width="24"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="24" height="20"> </td> </tr> </table> <tr> <td> <table width="700" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8"> <tr> <td width="164"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="164" height="8"></td> <td class="darkBlue"><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="20" height="8"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="images/global/transparent.gif" width="164" height="20"></td> <td class="footer"> <a href="Default.aspx">Home</a> - 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