Hague series to focus on sustainable development

Abu Dhabi: Despite focusing on issues such as war and peace and human rights in the past, this year the external programme held by the Hague Academy of International Law will be focusing on sustainable development.

The programme, taking place for its 37th year, is held in a different continent annually. This year, for the first time, it will be hosted in the Gulf region.

The event will be taking place in November in Abu Dhabi for a duration of one week.

"The external programme, first held in 1969, addressed various issues in the past, including topics more related to human rights, self determination, international disputes, and economic developments," Dr Jean-Yves de Cara, Executive Director of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (PSUAD), told Gulf News, following a conference held by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec).

Despite the facts that these issues still remain relevant at our times, choices on the theme of the programme are made with the host country in mind.

"As time progresses different fields are being highlighted. This region is booming, and one of the logical topics to discuss is how to balance development with the environment," Dr de Cara, said.

"Issues such as war and peace will always be relevant, but we need to choose topics that are most relevant to the region," he added. Participants to be limited to 40 individuals from the UAE and from the surrounding region, including countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.