International Conference

on

ADVANCING OCEAN
GOVERNANCE
FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:
THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

28 - 29 MARCH 2025
GUJARAT NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, GANDHINAGAR

Image Generated using DALL.E by OPENAI

 BACKGROUND

The blue economy sustains millions of livelihoods, but unsustainable exploitation

threatens marine ecosystems, endangering both ecological balance and economic
security. Key Challenges such as Overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate
change demand urgent action to safeguard ocean resources. Achieving marine
sustainability is critical for long-term prosperity and aligns with SDG 14’s goal of
conserving and sustainably using marine resources.

A balanced approach that integrates economic growth, social equity, and environmental
stewardship is key. Recent global efforts, such as the 2023 UN BBNJ Agreement and the
2022 WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, mark progress. However, weak
enforcement, fragmented regulations, and policy inconsistencies remain significant
hurdles. This conference aims to bridge gaps in policy, research, and practice, fostering
solutions for a thriving blue economy and resilient marine ecosystems.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The CTIL-GNLU-GMU-SAIELN Conference titled “Advancing Ocean Governance for a
Sustainable Future: The Role of International Law” brings together experts,
policymakers, academicians, industry participants, and researchers to explore the
legal, economic, and environmental aspects of ocean governance and the blue
economy. With a focus on marine sustainability, the conference will feature keynote
addresses, panel discussions and paper presentations on critical challenges and
opportunities.

Technical sessions will highlight advancements in fisheries law, blue economy and
sustainability, marine science, and governance frameworks like UNCLOS, emphasising
sustainable resource use. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the conference aims
to develop innovative solutions for ocean governance for a sustainable future.
 CONFERENCE TRACKS
The Conference will address a wide range of topics, offering insights into the legal,
economic, and environmental dimensions of fisheries governance and management.
The Conference will comprise two tracks: (a) the panel discussion track, and (b) the
paper presentation track.

Panel Discussion Track Paper Presentation Track

Expert panel discusisons on ocean Selected authors are invited to present

governance and blue economy, featuring their research through a PowerPoint
leading experts who will share diverse presentation. Each author will be given a
perspectives on the evolving landscape in total of 10 minutes to present their paper,
today’s global context. of which 5 minutes will be for the
presentation and the remaining 5
minutes will be for Q&A and feedback.

THEMES

THEME II: Blue

economy,
sustainability,
and conservation

THEME I: Recent
developments in THEME III:
international fisheries
governance, including UNCLOS and
fisheries subsidies in marine
WTO sustainability
 Theme I: Recent Developments in
International Fisheries Governance including
fisheries subsidies in WTO
Historical evolution of international fisheries law
Recent international agreements advancing ocean governance such as the
Agreement on Port State Measures
The linkage between marine sustainable development at the United Nations and
WTO measures
Role of WTO: Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Fisheries management in territorial seas and exclusive economic zones
Regulation of Fishing activities in the high seas
Practical implementation of measures regulating Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
Current negotiations on Additional Provisions (Overcapacity and Overfishing)
Role of FAO in fisheries conservation
Legal Dimensions of Fisheries Conflicts and Negotiations
Analysis of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT)
Inter-regional collaboration and the role of RFMOs

Theme II: Blue Economy, Sustainability, and

Conservation

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) associated with marine development

Role of aquaculture in the blue economy
Marine Biodiversity Convention and economic drivers
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and legal protection mechanisms
Balancing economic and environmental interests in extraction of minerals from the
seabed
Impact of exploration and exploitation of oil and gas from the deep seabed on
biodiversity
Challenges in the transfer of marine technology for sustainable use
Protection from land-based and ship-sourced marine pollution and related
agreements
Submarine cables and ocean governance
Protection of environment from military-owned or state-owned vessels used for
non-commercial purposes
Capacity building for developing states and SIDS in blue economy sectors
Integrating maritime security with Sustainable Development Goals
 Theme III: UNCLOS and Marine Sustainability

Role of UNCLOS in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water)

Interdisciplinary linkages between UNCLOS and other international agreements,
including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Interaction of dispute settlement mechanisms for marine sustainability under
UNCLOS and other international fora
Territorial disputes and their impact on marine sustainability
Protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)
Addressing the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise through UNCLOS
Deep-sea mining and the ISA’s mining code: possible interactions with investor-
state dispute settlement (ISDS)
Emerging technologies and innovations for monitoring and enforcing UNCLOS
provisions

REGISTRATION FEE

For foreign For Indian

academics, academics, For foreign For Indian
professionals, professionals, students: students:
and others: and others:

US$ 100 INR 1,000 US$ 50 INR 500

Click here to register to attend

NOTE:
Conference attendees who are not presenting are also required to register
through this link.
Those submitting abstracts may register upon receiving acceptance.
 ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Authors must submit an abstract of no more than 500 words in a Word document,
accompanied by a cover letter. The cover letter should include the author(s)’ name(s),
designation, institution/affiliation, manuscript title, and contact details (email,
phone, and address). Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to present their
papers.

Students, early-career academics, and professionals are encouraged to apply.

SAIELN will award scholarships of INR 3000 each to five student presenters, selected
on the basis of the quality of their abstracts. Applicants seeking a scholarship must
indicate their interest in the Google Form and provide justification when submitting
their abstract.

Additionally, the conference may lead to a publication opportunity, as the organizers

are in discussions with reputed publishers. Finished papers may be submitted at a
later date, which will be notified separately.

Click here to submit your abstract

Abstracts are to be submitted through the Google Forms link provided above. All abstracts
must be submitted by 28th February 2025 (Midnight IST). Notifications of acceptance will be
sent to presenters by 10th March 2025. Co-authorship is allowed but limited to two authors.

Abstract Guidelines

Abstracts must include a cover page with the title and author details. They should also
indicate one or two guiding questions.
Length: Maximum 500 words excluding title/cover
Margins: 1 inch
Font: Times New Roman, 12 points
Spacing: 1.5

In case of any queries, please contact +91 94973 44024. Alternatively you can write to us at
maritimelawcourse@gmu.edu.in.
 South Asia International Economic Law
Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL)
Network (SAIELN)

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) was SAIELN is a collaborative network of academics,
established in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and practitioners and officials interested in the field of
Industry, Government of India, in pursuit of its objective of International Economic Law. SAIELN is committed to
developing international trade and investment law capacity providing a platform for its members to articulate their
in India. The Centre is a part of the Centre for Research in views, brainstorm their ideas, and importantly, to
International Trade (CRIT) at the Indian Institute of Foreign nurture and develop the field of international economic
Trade, New Delhi. CTIL provides sound and rigorous law especially in the South Asia region. SAIELN’s focus is
to create an environment conducive to the exchange of
analysis of legal issues pertaining to international trade and
ideas and the promotion of scholarship in this field. At
investment law to the Department of Commerce,
the same time, SAIELN is global in its outlook and reach,
Government of India and other governmental departments.
and inclusive in its membership and activities. Scholars
The Centre functions as a repository of information on trade
from any part of the world are welcome to join us and
and investment law, with a wide range of resources at its
contribute to our activities. SAIELN also seeks to build on
disposal. It is a leading platform in India for engaging in and
and expand the activities of Society of International Law
influencing the evolving discourse on global economic law (SIEL) in promoting and enriching International
issues. The Centre has been consistently providing technical Economic Law.
inputs to the Government of India on the issues of
international trade and investment law.

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) Gujarat Maritime University (GMU)

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is a statutory Gujarat Maritime University (GMU) is an endeavor by Gujarat
university established by the Government of Gujarat under Maritime Board (GMB), the state regulator for the ports and
Gujarat National Law University Act, 2003. The university maritime activities in Gujarat. The University has been
holds recognition from the Bar Council of India (BCI) & the conceived by visionaries to address the burgeoning need for a
skilled workforce in the ever- changing dynamics of the
University Grants Commission (UGC). GNLU is affiliated
maritime sector. Gujarat Maritime University is a bespoke
with several prestigious organizations, including the
institution for advancing maritime education, training, and
Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the United Nations research in India. The University began its academic journey in
Academic Impact (UNAI), & the International Association of the year 2019 and has established two schools so far namely, the
Law Schools (IALS). GNLU offers interdisciplinary legal School of Maritime Law, Policy and Administration, and the
courses in five faculties namely, BA LLB, BCOM LLB, BSC School of Maritime Management. In pursuit of creating an
LLB, BSW LLB, BBA LLB; post-graduate programmes institution of global standards, GMU has collaborated with
namely, LLM as well as doctoral programmes in law & internationally prominent institutions like Erasmus University,
interdisciplinary fields. GNLU also offers PhD in Economics. STC International, CBS Executive, ISWAN, and many more such
alliances shall be forged in times to come.
This course is offered with an interdisciplinary study of law.
 Chief Patron
Prof. (Dr.) S Shanthakumar
Director, Gujarat National Law University and Provost (I/C),
Gujarat Maritime University

Patrons
Prof. (Dr.) James J. Nedumpara Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik
Head and Professor, Dean Academic Affairs,
Centre for Trade and Investment Law; Gujarat Maritime University
WCP India Chairholder

Conference Convenors

Dr. Abhay Singh Dr. Mohit Gupta

Director (I/C), School of Maritime Law, Assistant Professor, School of Maritime Law,
Policy and Administration, Policy and Administration,
Gujarat Maritime University Gujarat Maritime University

Ms. Sunanda Tewari Ms. Priyansha Hajela

Consultant (Legal)/Assistant Professor, Associate,
Centre for Trade and Investment Law Centre for Trade and Investment Law

Ms. Sujaya Sanjay Ms. Imjot Kaur

Associate, Research Fellow,
Centre for Trade and Investment Law Centre for Trade and Investment Law

Organizing Committee

Mr. Jobin Abraham Mathew Ms. Mili Trivedi

Teaching and Research Associate, Teaching and Research Associate,
Gujarat Maritime University Gujarat Maritime University

Ms. Sakshi Saini Mr. Tarun Guddu

Teaching and Research Associate, Young Professional,
Gujarat Maritime University Centre for Trade and Investment Law