Progressive development and codification of international law : the work of the International Law Commission during its sixty-sixth session

Abstract

The International Law Commission (the Commission) finds itself at somewhat of a crossroad. It was established to promote and facilitate the progressive development and codification of international law. The Commission has, however, already codified the main areas of international law during what many have referred to as its golden years. Moreover, many organisations are now taking on the role of law-making in their own specialised fields, eg the International Maritime Organisation is adopting its own treaties and even the General Assembly often engages in its own treaty-making processes.