The Development Law Service

Fellows of the Nippon Foundation visit FAO headquarters

14/03/2024

Since 2023, fellows of the Nippon Foundation[1]  have been visiting the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of their capacity building and training programme at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), in Hamburg, Germany.[2] This is an annual programme that focuses on dispute settlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Development Law Service (LEGN) of the FAO Legal Office, in collaboration with the Global and Regional Processes Team of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, organized a full morning visit of the Nippon Fellows at FAO premises, in Rome. The visit began with a guided tour of the FAO premises, followed by several presentations on: the functioning of the Organization; the services provided by the FAO Legal Office; an overview of the Agreement to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) and the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas (Compliance Agreement); the FAOLEX database, and;  on LEGN outreach and communication activities, including the subscription to the LEGN Magazine

Accompanied by Ms Naomi Burke, ITLOS Legal Officer, the visiting Fellows were: Ms Lokeshnee (Deepti) Bismohun, State Counsel, Attorney General’s Office (Mauritius); Mr Howard Lapo, Senior Crown Counsel, Attorney Generals Chambers (Solomon Islands); Mr Joel I. Matonga, Senior Legal Officer/Treaties Officer, Legal Services and Treaties Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic (Malawi); Ms Ariadna M. Mercado Guzman, Office of the Legal Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mexico); Mr Oscar M. Pajares Polar, Legal Analyst, Directorate-General of Treaties, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru); and Ms Beril Sogut, PhD Researcher in international law, University of Bristol (Türkiye).

Lokeshnee (Deepti) Bismohun: “The visit at the FAO headquarters was one of the highlights of the Nippon programme. The tour of the FAO building allowed us to get a real feel of the vibrancy of the place; it felt special to spend a few minutes sitting in the impressive Plenary Hall and to enjoy a coffee on the terrace which offers a breath-taking view of the city. The presentations by the Legal Office and the Fisheries Global and Regional Processes Team gave us unique insights, and the hospitality shown to us throughout our visit were also much appreciated”.

Beril Sogut: “The visit to FAO was a great experience, we were warmly hosted by the Legal Division with fruitful presentations and stimulating discussions concerning its work. It was also useful to learn about the FAO Treaties Database and the FAOLEX Database for future studies.”

Howard Lapo: “It was an amazing and rewarding visit to FAO, and I have learned a lot from the presentations. It has broadened my knowledge on the scope of LEGN’s work and its relevance to developing nations. Also, I was introduced to the FAOLEX Database, which I think is one of the useful resources for research and information purposes because of its vastness. Overall, the experience was great and I have gained valuable information and insights which I believe are crucial for my future endeavours.”

For information on the visit of Nippon Fellows at FAO headquarters in 2023, see here.


[1]     The Nippon Foundation of Japan is a private, non-profit grant-making organization. It directs its revenue into philanthropic activities such as in the pursuit of global maritime development. It funds a number of programmes through different organizations and institutions.  

[2]     The programme is aimed at junior to mid-level government officials and researchers mainly from developing countries who are currently working on issues related to the law of the sea including fisheries law, maritime law or dispute settlement. It provides participants with a unique opportunity to develop their legal skills and deepen their practical knowledge of dispute settlement in the law of the sea under UNCLOS.