The opening ceremony of the 2026 Public International Law Summer Session of the Hague Academy of International Law took place yesterday, 6 July 2026, with an address by Professor Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos, President of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law and President of our Foundation.

The ceremony was held before a full audience at the Academy, in the presence of judges of the International Court of Justice, ambassadors, the professors teaching in this year’s Summer Session, and 345 participants from 90 countries. This broad international participation confirms the Academy’s universal character and its enduring prestige as the world’s leading institution for teaching and research in international law.

In his address, Professor Sicilianos underscored the Academy’s primary mission. Since its establishment in 1923, the Academy has served as a centre of academic excellence, free intellectual exchange, and the meaningful advancement of international law. He emphasized that, at a time when international law is being tested as never before, the Academy’s contribution to educating the next generation of international lawyers has become more important than ever.

Referring to the contemporary challenges facing international law, he focused in particular on the maintenance of international peace and security, the functioning and effectiveness of international courts and tribunals, the difficulties confronting multilateral cooperation, the challenges arising from scientific and technological developments, climate change, and, finally, the need to ensure the effective protection of human dignity and fundamental rights.

The President stressed that, despite the intense geopolitical pressures and challenges currently confronting the international legal order, international law remains the foremost common framework for the peaceful organization of international relations, the protection of the individual, and the promotion of international cooperation. He further observed that the central challenge of our time is to preserve confidence in the rules and institutions of international law.

In closing, he referred to the Hague Academy of International Law’s particular responsibility to safeguard academic excellence, promote universality through dialogue among different legal traditions, and educate lawyers with a strong sense of responsibility, independence of judgment, and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

Addressing the participants in the Summer Session, he encouraged them to make the most of this unique academic experience, not only as an opportunity to acquire knowledge, but also as a forum for meaningful dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and the establishment of lasting professional ties among young lawyers from every corner of the world.

The full text of Professor Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos’ address is available here: in French and in English.

The programme of the Academy’s Summer Courses is available here.