Traditions and Transitions in International Law

The international legal order is faced with both longstanding and novel challenges presented by changing cultural norms, climate and biodiversity crises, the resurgence of international armed conflict, democratic backsliding, revitalized nationalism, the ubiquity of big data, and groundbreaking technological innovations. While traditional international law and institutions have proven resilient in addressing some of these challenges, transitions are emerging in areas where existing frameworks may not be achieving the shared goals of the international community.

The 2025 ASIL Annual Meeting will question the efficacy of our international law traditions and the impact of ongoing transitions in the existing world order. Which traditional elements of international law and institutions remain effective, and which may not be fit for purpose? What can we learn from ongoing transitions for addressing contemporary challenges? Of which transitions should we be skeptical and why? What insights can non-lawyers such as diplomats, journalists, natural and social scientists, technology experts, commercial actors and artists offer as we probe the efficacy of traditions and transitions in international law?

The Society’s 119th Annual Meeting will be a forum for international lawyers from all sectors of the profession, policymakers, and experts from other fields to reflect on the implications of traditions and transitions in international law. The program co-chairs invite submissions from all ASIL stakeholders spanning diverse sectors, disciplines, and perspectives.

Sessions that are selected will be assigned to a substantive track:

1. 1. International Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, and Criminal Justice

2. 2. Transnational Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution

3. 3. International Trade, Investment, and Finance

4. 4. International Organizations, Global Governance, and Global Health

5. 5. Security, Foreign Relations, and Use of Force

6. 6. Environment, Sea, Space, and Sustainable Development

The co-chairs encourage submissions that incorporate these perspectives from these cross-cutting topics:

• Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Social Media

• Climate Change

• Interdisciplinary Insights for International Law

• Multilateralism in International Law

• Race, Gender, and Sexual Identity in International Law

• Regional Approaches to International Law

• Third World Approaches to International Law

• War, Peace, and Anti-impunity