Webinar: 'Commitment in Times of Crisis: Prospects for International Environmental and Sustainable Development Regimes in 2026 and Beyond'

Would you like to explore the prospects for international environmental and sustainable development regimes in these times of crisis?

Are you interested in understanding emerging issues for an intense year of upcoming CoPs?

Wednesday 29 April 2026 11:30am to 1:00pm EDT

Despite strong headwinds, several crucial treaty meetings of Parties are coming up this year to tackle pressing international environmental and sustainable development challenges. How can we strengthen cooperation for compliance, in the face of grim efforts to weaken these regimes?

In this extraordinary lunchtime event co-hosted by the International Law Association (ILA) of Canada, a panel of renowned legal experts from across the ILA provides brief updates on key treaty processes with crucial commitments to complete, focusing on recent developments and opportunities for progress.

This year progress on national pledges and international compliance may be more important than ever: ... as the world prepares for Conferences of Parties to

• the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Mongolia,
• the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia and
• the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Turkiye;

...and as nations seek ways to move forward in:

• tackling plastics pollution internationally,
• promoting Indigenous Peoples sustainable development cooperation,
• strengthening cooperation under international water conventions,
• defending the North American environmental cooperation accord.

How can countries that are still committed to international law stay true to these treaties, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals worldwide?

Speakers:

• Professor Konstantia Koutouki, University of Montreal
• Professor Markus W. Gehring, University of Cambridge
• Professor Wayne Garnons-Williams, IITIO / University of Waterloo
• Dr. Alexandra Harrington, IUCN WCEL
• Dr. Marguerite de Chaisemartin, International Waters Governance Research Initiative.

Co-Chairs:

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, University of Victoria / University of Cambridge &
• Professor Payam Akhavan, Massey College, University of Toronto.

Opening remarks: Dr. Oonagh Fitzgerald, President ILA Canada.

Online moderator / communication: King Menard, University of Cambridge.

Discussants: Tejas Rao, University of Cambridge / Shiva Amiri, ILA Canada

Register now to attend.