By: Dionísio Babo Soares
Against a backdrop of over two hundred unresolved maritime boundary disputes worldwide, Timor-Leste steps forward to host the Dili International Conference on the Law of the Sea on May 15-16, 2025. The chosen theme, “Navigating Challenges: Law of the Sea and Maritime Dispute Settlement,” immediately highlights the critical role of international legal frameworks in charting a course through these complex issues. This conference not only reaffirms Timor-Leste’s enduring dedication to maritime law but also issues a compelling call to action for nations grappling with unsettled naval boundaries. The sheer persistence of these disputes underscores an urgent need to fully leverage and potentially innovate upon the mechanisms enshrined in the landmark United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Adopted in 1982, UNCLOS laid the foundational legal architecture for all aspects of ocean governance, encompassing the definition of maritime zones, the rights of coastal states, and the regulations governing resource exploitation and environmental protection. It established pathways for dispute resolution through arbitration, adjudication via the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), and compulsory conciliation. Yet, despite UNCLOS’s comprehensive framework, numerous nations struggle to resolve their maritime claims, a challenge intensified by the intricate geopolitical and environmental dynamics of the 21st century, including escalating regional tensions and the growing impacts of climate change on coastal zones.
A central focus of the conference will be a rigorous examination of the Timor Sea Conciliation case—a landmark as the first instance of compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS. This historic process established a significant precedent, demonstrating that even deeply entrenched disputes, such as those concerning the Timor Sea boundaries, can be resolved peacefully through existing international legal mechanisms. The case underscored the power of dialogue and legally structured negotiations in bridging divides and cultivating mutual trust between disputing nations. By dissecting the Timor Sea experience, experts at the conference will explore how this successful conciliation mechanism can serve as a blueprint for future cases and consider the broader implications of compulsory conciliation as a vital tool for navigating the persistent challenges of maritime disputes.
Beyond analyzing past triumphs, the conference will also function as a dynamic platform for envisioning future enhancements to maritime dispute resolution. Participants will engage in robust debates on innovative proposals that extend beyond the current UNCLOS framework. These discussions are expected to encompass strategies for strengthening international legal mechanisms through enhanced regional cooperation, integrating critical climate change data into maritime boundary deliberations, and developing sustainable resource management practices that adapt to the evolving realities of our oceans. Such forward-thinking discussions are particularly timely given the increasing impact of climate change, including rising sea levels and shifting marine ecosystems, which introduce new layers of complexity to maritime delimitation.
The conference’s global significance is further amplified by the diverse participation of officials and representatives from the Pacific, ASEAN, the g7+ group of fragile nations, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. This rich tapestry of perspectives on legal, political, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions of maritime governance promises to enrich the discussions. This broad dialogue is anticipated to pave the way for crucial multilateral partnerships that address longstanding maritime disputes and emerging challenges in ocean governance.
Timor-Leste’s leadership in hosting this pivotal conference builds upon the foundation laid by its inaugural 2016 conference, which focused on maritime boundaries and featured a keynote address by the President of ITLOS. The enduring impact of that event continues to fuel the nation’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and robust international legal cooperation. In heralding this second conference, Timor-Leste not only reaffirms its leadership in the realm of maritime law but also signals an ambitious vision for the future—one where historical lessons, exemplified by the Timor Sea Conciliation case, inform innovative strategies for resolving maritime disputes across the globe.
Ultimately, this conference is poised to be a landmark event in the evolution of maritime law, strategically blending established legal principles with forward-looking proposals. By drawing upon historical legal precedents and thoughtfully incorporating contemporary challenges such as climate change and sea-level rise, the assembled knowledge and experience will empower participants to forge pathways that promote peaceful dialogue and mutual benefit, ensuring that the vast and dynamic oceans remain a domain of cooperation and sustainable progress. (*)
