His Excellency Dr Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, Secretary-General of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), undertook an official mission to the United Nations Headquarters in New York during International Law Week 2026, participating in the meetings and related activities of the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the United Nations General Assembly.
The mission provided an important opportunity to strengthen AALCO's engagement with the United Nations, promote Asian-African perspectives on international legal developments, and advance institutional cooperation as AALCO celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026.
Addressing the UN Sixth Committee: Bringing Asian-African Legal Perspectives to the Forefront
The Secretary-General delivered AALCO's statement before the Sixth Committee under the agenda item concerning the Reports of the International Law Commission (ILC) on the Work of Its Seventy-Sixth and Seventy-Seventh Sessions.
In his statement, he emphasized that, seven decades after AALCO's establishment, its founding mission remains highly relevant: ensuring that Asian and African States contribute meaningfully to the development of international law.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring that international legal rules are informed by the diverse legal traditions, national legislation, judicial decisions and State practice of countries from all regions, particularly those whose legal materials are less readily accessible internationally.
Addressing several substantive topics under consideration by the ILC, the Secretary-General drew attention to:
- Immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction: The importance of appropriate procedural safeguards to prevent abuse while preserving accountability for serious international crimes.
- General principles of law: The need for genuinely comparative analysis encompassing Asian and African legal traditions, including African customary law.
- Subsidiary means for determining rules of international law: The importance of evaluating judicial decisions and scholarly writings based on their reasoning, methodology and representativeness, rather than merely their frequency of citation. He also highlighted the need to overcome language barriers and unequal access to legal databases.
- Non-legally binding international agreements: The importance of legal clarity concerning the parties' intentions and the legal implications of such instruments, while preserving their practical flexibility.
The Secretary-General also addressed the settlement of disputes involving international organizations, compensation for damage caused by internationally wrongful acts, and due diligence in international law.
Building on the AALCO–ILC Working Group meeting held in Geneva on 15 July 2026, he called for regular annual exchanges between the two organizations and closer cooperation in facilitating access to Asian-African State practice.
The statement reaffirmed AALCO's commitment to ensuring that the legal experiences of its 49 Member States receive greater attention in the progressive development and codification of international law.
Two AALCO Side Events at the United Nations
A major highlight of the mission was the organization of two side events on 30 October 2026, in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of India and the Philippines to the United Nations.
The first event, “AALCO@70: Asian-African Voices in the Progressive Development of International Law,” co-organized with the Permanent Mission of India, commemorated AALCO's seven decades of contributions to international law.
Discussions focused on strengthening Asian-African participation in international legal processes, particularly through the collection and dissemination of State practice, national legislation and judicial decisions. Proposals included developing a more accessible database of Asian-African State practice and organizing regular AALCO side events during International Law Week.
The second event, “International Law's New Frontiers: From Emerging Challenges to Practical Solutions: An Asian-African Dialogue in Tribute to Dr. Roy S. Lee,” was jointly organized with the Permanent Mission of the Philippines.
The event paid tribute to the late Dr. Roy S. Lee, AALCO's longstanding Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York. The Secretary-General had also paid tribute to Dr. Lee in his statement before the Sixth Committee, recalling his exceptional dedication, wisdom and contributions to the international legal community.
Discussions addressed emerging international legal challenges, including artificial intelligence, sea-level rise, the protection of persons in the event of disasters, and maritime security.
One important follow-up proposal was to organize an AALCO preparatory briefing for Member States ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, scheduled to take place in Bangkok in January–February 2027.
Meeting with the United Nations Legal Counsel
On 5 November 2026, the Secretary-General held a productive meeting with H.E. Ms. Elinor Hammarskjöld, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel.
The discussions focused on strengthening institutional cooperation between AALCO and the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, particularly in relation to the work of the ILC, capacity-building, and greater participation of Asian and African States in international legal processes.
The Secretary-General was accompanied by Dr. S. Rama Rao, AALCO's newly appointed Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, whom he introduced to the Under-Secretary-General. The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce institutional contacts and facilitate closer coordination between AALCO and the United Nations.
Observing the Election of ICJ Judges
During the mission, the Secretary-General also observed the election of five judges to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), held on 3 November 2026.
The election involved separate secret ballots in the General Assembly and the Security Council, with candidates required to secure an absolute majority in both bodies. Following successive rounds of voting, five judges were elected from France, Jordan, Kenya, Singapore and the United Kingdom for nine-year terms beginning in February 2027.
The occasion provided an opportunity to observe an important institutional process within the United Nations system.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening AALCO's Presence at the United Nations
The mission reaffirmed AALCO's commitment to maintaining an active and constructive presence at the United Nations.
Building on the discussions and initiatives undertaken during International Law Week, AALCO will explore further opportunities for cooperation with the Office of Legal Affairs, the ILC and the Permanent Missions of its Member States.
Particular attention will be given to strengthening Asian-African participation in international legal processes, expanding capacity-building opportunities, improving access to State practice, and establishing more regular AALCO activities during International Law Week.
As AALCO enters its eighth decade, these engagements reflect its enduring mission: ensuring that Asian and African legal perspectives are not only heard, but meaningfully contribute to shaping the future of international law.
