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Negotiating Maritime Boundaries: Professional Training Workshop 6-8 June 2022

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6 June 2022 - 8 June 2022

9:00AM - 6:00PM

Hilton The Hague, The Netherlands

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This workshop, led by some of the world’s most experienced boundary negotiators, is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to conclude a successful maritime boundary agreement.

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A professional training workshop

6-8 June, The Hague, The Netherlands

Clearly defined maritime boundaries are essential for good international relations and effective ocean management, yet few coastal states have agreed all their maritime boundaries with their neighbours. Part of the reason for this is that boundary delimitation requires a range of specialist legal and technical skills which are not always readily available to governments. 

The programme will be structured around a full-day boundary negotiation exercise in which participants will work in teams to resolve a boundary dispute based on a real-world scenario. The course will also include practical instruction on building and preparing a negotiating team, negotiation strategy and tactics, and drafting an agreement.

Venue

The workshop will be held at 

The Hilton The Hague, The Netherlands 

Address: ZEESTRAAT 35,THE HAGUE,2518 AA, NETHERLANDS. 

Hotel Website 

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Workshop Flyer

Negotiating Maritime Boundaries Flyer

The cover of IBRU workshop Negotiating Maritime Boundaries

 

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Workshop Tutors

We are delighted to be joined by a team of experienced tutors for our workshop

Ms Davinia Aziz, Senior State Counsel in the International Affairs Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Singapore

Ms Rosemarie Cadogan, former Legal Adviser, Ocean Governance and Natural Resources Advisory Division, Commonwealth Secretariat

Mr Henning Dobson Knudsen, Senior legal counsel and leader of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Delimitation Secretariat in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Judge Liesbeth Lijnzaad, Judge, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and former Legal Advisor, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Professor Martin Pratt, Director, Bordermap Consulting Ltd

Find out more out our tutors and their experience

 

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Workshop Programme

Monday 6 June 
 

Boundary-making and the importance of boundary negotiations

  • Theory and practice of international boundary-making
  • Boundary uncertainty and boundary disputes
  • Types of negotiation

Legal principles in maritime negotiations

  • The UN Charter and dispute resolution
  • Sources of international law
  • Maritime delimitation under UNCLOS
  • The role of international law in negotiations
  • Dispute settlement under UNCLOS
  • Maritime delimitation in the context of uncertain/disputed territorial sovereignty

Building and preparing a negotiating team                                                             

  • Required expertise
  • Mandate
  • Team dynamics
  • Negotiating brief
  • Support services
  • Timeframe, venues, costs

Negotiation strategy and tactics                                                                              

  • Objectives
  • Initial contact
  • Opening positions
  • Tactics
  • Making concessions

The role of the technical expert during negotiations                                              

  • Before negotiations
  • During negotiations
  • After negotiations

Tuesday 7 June 

 

Negotiation exercise

Working in teams, participants will seek to negotiate an agreement defining the maritime boundaries

between the fictional states of Tasmania and Victoria. The scenario involves legal, technical and

management-related problems which will require ingenuity and diplomacy to resolve.

Wednesday 8 June 

Drafting an Agreement

  • The law of treaties
  • Elements of a boundary agreement
  • Ratification and deposit with the United Nations 

Boundary negotiations within regional / multilateral frameworks

  • Challenges for small states
  • Regional perspectives
  • The Commonwealth experience

Options for boundary settlement when negotiations break down

  • Mediation
  • Conciliation
  • Track II diplomacy
  • Third-party adjudication

Afternoon

Optional tour of the Peace Palace 2-4pm (subject to restrictions being lifted on tours)

 

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What is included in the workshop cost

In addition to tuition and all course materials, the fee covers the following: 

  • Lunch and refreshment breaks on 6-8 June
  • Evening dinner on Tuesday 7 June. 
  • Optional tour of the Peaace Palace on the afternoon of 8 June (subject to availability)

Accommodation 

Please note, accommodation is not included in the workshop fee. 

Accommodation is available at Hilton The Hague in the centre of The Hague and this can be booked yourself via a link provided by IBRU or other online booking sites. 

Other hotels are available in The Hague to suit different budgets. 

Travel 

You are expected to organise your own travel arrangements to The Hague. Please be aware that if you require a visa to visit the Netherlands you will be required to apply for your own visa for entry in to the country. Please allow enough time for your visa to be processed before the start of the workshop. A letter on invitation can be provided to support your visa application.

COVID-19

Please enaure you are aware of any entry requirements in to the Netherlands regarding vaccinations against COVID-19 before you book your place on the workshop and travel to the Netherlands.

Language 

Teaching and workshop materials will be in English. 

Cancellation 

Cancellations must be received in writing not later than the 12 May 2022 and will be subject to a £250 cancellation fee, unless a substitute participant is offered. After this date the full registration fee will be charged for all cancellations. 

Programme changes 

IBRU reserves the right to modify the programme as necessary, without notice to participants. 

Pricing

£1,950 per person

Cost 

The cost of the workshop will be £1,950 per participant. Payment can only be accepted in £ sterling or by major credit and debit cards. Full payment must be received prior to the workshop to guarantee the booking. 

Where and when

Venue 

Workshop teaching will be based at Hilton The Hague, The Netherlands 

Address: ZEESTRAAT 35,THE HAGUE,2518 AA, NETHERLANDS. 

Link to Hotel