Progressively developing and codifying international law : the work of the International Law Commission in its 68th Session

Abstract

The 68th session of the International Law Commission (the Commission), held in 2016, was a significant one for the Commission. First, on a more substantive level, the Commission adopted a final text on a major topic, namely the protection of persons in the event of disasters on the second reading and also completed a first reading of yet two other topics, namely the identification of customary international law as well as subsequent agreements and practice in relation to treaty interpretation.1 Secondly, at an institutional level, 2016 marked the final year of the quinquennium — the term of the 34-member Commission expired at the end of 2016.2 On 3 November 2016, the General Assembly elected new members for the term beginning 1 January 2017.