Vietnam becomes UN International Law Commission member

Vietnam Ambassador to Kuwait Nguyen Hong Thao

Founded in 1947, the International Law Commission’s mandate was to codify and promote international law. The Commission plays a crucial role in drafting international conventions and initiatives and guiding the enforcement of international law.

UNILC members are famous Professors, diplomats, and lawyers who have experience in researching, lecturing, and applying international law.

The campaign to lobby Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Hong Thao to run for a seat at the ILC was officially launched in February 2016 after the Vietnamese delegation at the UN, the WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva sent a diplomatic note nominating him to other delegations.

According to the Foreign Ministry, this is the first time a Vietnam representative was elected to the UNILC. It demonstrates Vietnam’s increasing prestige and position at multilateral forums and the UN and the international community’s acknowledges Vietnam’s active and responsible contributions and Ambassador Thao’s capacity.

Ambassador Thao is an expert in international law and has been Vice Chairman of the National Border Committee, head of negotiation teams for border agreements with Vietnam’s neighboring countries, and an adviser on the 2012 Law of the Sea.

He boasts 40 years of experience in the diplomatic field, and was Vietnam Ambassador to Malaysia in the 2011-2014 tenure. He is now Ambassador to Kuwait.