WORKSHOP/ CONFERENCE ON SPACE LAW AT GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY (KDU), SRILANKA
In 2016, Prof. Balakista Reddy had been invited by the KDU for a 5 day workshop on Space Law, where he was one of the Resource person in space laws. The 5 day workshop on space was organized by faculty of law, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), in collaboration with Moragoda International Law Trust in September, 2016. The main objectives of this Workshop was to disseminate information and raise awareness and knowledge in the area of Space Law, and to promote an analytical discourse on the main legal issues in relation to Space Law through a discussion of the relevant theoretical concepts and principles, and to encourage a culture of innovative thinking among the professionals involved in the relevant fields. The Chief Guest of that event was the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe and the Resource Person of the Workshop is Prof. Balakista Reddy, Head Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL), Registrar, NALSAR University of Law and other guests are various Defence and Academic personalities from the Government of Sri Lanka and other International Foras. During this Workshop and subsequent interview by press, Prof. Reddy had talked about the importance of customizing domestic space Law with relevance to the socioeconomic needs. When asked by the press during Interview the focus of the talks, he emphasized the issues of various aerospace activities and issues due to commercialization of Industry. Dr. Reddy has also focused on the important Space treaties, other binding agreements and soft laws. He brought light on the need of space technology for developing countries and agreements between various developing and developed countries.
He underscored the development of Space Law in SAARC Region and the role of Indian government in the development of Space and satellite industry in the region. He also highlighted the need for various space development agreements between India and Sri Lanka and the existing co-operation for the development of Aerospace Industry.
When asked about the need of development of space technology and exploration, he responded by highlighting the achievements of space technology and the need for increase in financial support by the governments for advancing research in space technology. He also brought into light the need for financial assistance and the outcomes when the assistance is provided, which in turn gives the glory to the whole nation, along with the betterment and advancement for the Citizens of the country. In this line, he also gave examples of remote sensing satellites and GIS technology used for fulfilling various civilian/citizen needs.
In his interview, he also highlighted the need for domestic space law and legal department in every Country’s Government and space organizations. Along with giving prominence to the requirement of financial and technological need to the Space Industry in Developing countries, Dr. Reddy suggested ways how the developing countries can procure financial and technical assistance.
In his Interview, he gave prominence to the study and research in space laws and also the requirement of space law experts. With the existence of space Law experts, a nation can advance smoothly and steadily towards the development compared with the peers on par. The details of the Conference and the scope and achievements attained through conference were published in various National and International newspapers along with the web media.
NALSAR hosted the 78th Session of the Institute of International Law (Institut De Droit International) in September 3-10, 2017
Prof. V.Balakista Reddy, Professor of International Law & Registrar coordinated and brought the Nobel Peace Prize Award winning Institute, Institut De Droit International (IDI) (Institute of International Law) to NALSAR, University of Law, Hyderabad for holding its 78th Session from September 3-10, 2017. The Institut de Droit International, Belgium (The Institute of International Law) is the oldest and the most prestigious association of international law with objective to develop public and private international law and in particular by pronouncing upon the law applicable to contemporary issues and for the promotion of world order. It was established originally by 11 great international law practitioners in 1873 and included eminent International Law scholars. For the contribution it made towards settlement of disputes through peaceful means, the Institute was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize as early as 1904. The Sessions of the Institute are held in different countries once in every two years. For any country to hold its prestigious session is a matter of honor. Only three non-European countries in the 145 years glorious history of the institute got this honor i.e. Egypt (1987), in Chile (2007), and Japan (2013). This selection was made after a rigorous competitive bidding process amongst many contending countries and institutions across the world. Hosting of the institute is the testimony of NALSAR’s global standing as a top law school.
The Session was inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu, on September 3, 2017, in the august presence of Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, Shri. ESL Narasimhan, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Mohamood Ali, Hon’ble Minister for Housing, Law and Endowment, Shri A. Indra Karan Reddy, Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad and Chancellor, NALSAR, Shri Ramesh Ranganathan, and members of IDI from various parts of the globe. The Delegates appreciated the efforts of NALSAR, the Government of Telangana and all other Departments for the hospitality and the security arrangements made for their comfortable stay at Hyderabad.
Nearly 125 delegates from 60 countries all over the world have participated in this mega event. The esteemed delegates include sitting and retired judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), judges of International Criminal Court (ICC), judges of International Law of the Sea Tribunal (ITLOS), World Bank Arbitration Tribunal, World Trade Organization (WTO) and other arbitrators dealing with investments, international trade law, land and maritime boundaries, river water disputes, distinguished professors of International Law from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and other premier legal institutions of the world. During the eight-day event, the delegates deliberated upon various legal issues of contemporary international importance such as mass migration to Europe, war crimes in the Middle East, Judicial Review of Security Council decisions, Validity of Provisional Measures, Management of Sovereign Debts, etc. and passed resolutions which will become part of the codification and development of international law.
Apart from the plenary sessions, many delegates delivered lectures and interacted with the faculty and students of NALSAR and various other law colleges. Some of the key lectures include “International Tribunals and the Realization of Justice” by Judge Antonio Trindade, Sitting Judge, International Court of Justice; “Functioning of ICJ” by Sir Christopher John Greenwood, Sitting Judge, International Court of Justice; “Career Opportunities in International Law” by Prof. Eyal Benesviti, Director, Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge; “Women’s Rights in the Inter-American System” by Dr.Monica Pinto, Dean, School of Law, Buenos Aires University; “The notion of Evidence before ICJ” by Sir Kenneth Keith, Former Judge and Vice-President, ICJ; “Validity of Provisional Measures in International Law” by Lord Lawrence Collins, Former Judge, Supreme Court of United Kingdom; “Issues on International Investment” by Dr. P.S. Rao, President of IDI and Legal Advisor to Qatar.