The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), in collaboration with Allameh Tabataba’i University, Islamic Republic of Iran, successfully organised a webinar on the topic “Subsidiary Means for the Determination of Rules of International Law: Developments and Prospects” on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (IST). The webinar formed part of the commemorative activities marking AALCO’s Seventieth Anniversary (AALCO@70) and was attended by diplomats, government officials, scholars and practitioners from across Asia, Africa and beyond.
The Inaugural Session commenced with Welcome Remarks delivered by H.E. Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary-General of AALCO, who highlighted AALCO’s longstanding engagement with the International Law Commission.
Welcome Remarks were delivered by Prof. Pouria Askary, Advisor to the President and Director of International Academic Cooperation at Allameh Tabataba’i University (Co-Organiser), who reaffirmed the University’s commitment to academic collaboration and congratulated AALCO on its Platinum Jubilee.
Special Remarks were delivered by Dr. Luther M. Rangreji, Additional Secretary (Legal & Treaties Division), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, who provided a structured overview of the ILC’s draft conclusions.
The Opening Address, delivered by H.E. Ms. Joyce Kakuramasti Kikafunda, High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to India, on behalf of the Presidency of the 63rd Annual Session of AALCO, highlighted the significance of ensuring inclusivity and equitable participation in the development and interpretation of international legal norms.
The Technical Session featured three eminent experts. Prof. Charles Chernor Jalloh provided an overview of the International Law Commission’s ongoing work on subsidiary means, noting that the draft conclusions seek to clarify their function as evidentiary and interpretative tools, not as formal sources of law. He underscored factors such as representativeness and methodological rigour in assessing subsidiary means and called for more active participation by Asian and African States in the Commission’s deliberations.
Prof. Sienho Yee, Professor of International Law at China Foreign Affairs University, offered thoughtful and critical reflections on three central aspects of the draft conclusions: the interpretation of “determination of rules of law,” the significance of genuine representativeness, and the practical ways in which subsidiary means can assist decision-makers.
Prof. Mohamed Helal, Professor of Law at the Ohio State University, contributed further insights on the evolving role of subsidiary means. He highlighted their significant role in shaping both the identification and interpretation of legal rules, particularly in the context of treaty interpretation and customary international law, thereby affirming their integral place in contemporary international legal reasoning.
The presentations were followed by an engaging Question and Answer Session. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Sumi Pant, Legal Officer, AALCO, and concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Ali Hasankhani, Deputy Secretary-General, AALCO.
This webinar marked yet another event in AALCO’s ongoing dialogue series with members of the International Law Commission. Through this exchange, AALCO continues to provide a meaningful platform for Asian and African voices to contribute to the progressive development and codification of international law.
