WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 22, 2011 — Equitable distribution of cost between poor and rich nations in climate change and international trade initiatives, multi-jurisdictional issues in the mining industry and Ireland’s efforts in moving to a low-carbon economy will be on the agenda as the American Bar Association Section of International Law comes to Dublin, Ireland.  The section’s Fall Meeting, to be held Oct. 11-15, will be headquartered at the Convention Centre Dublin.

The opening plenary session features Irish President Mary McAleese, on Oct. 12, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  McAleese, former professor of law, has had a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with justice, equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation.

McAleese’s opening remarks will be followed by a luncheon with Mary Robinson, first female president of Ireland and former United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights.  On Oct. 13, Chief Justice of Ireland, John L. Murray, will present remarks during the luncheon session, 12:45 – 2:15 p.m.

A complete agenda and updated list of speakers can be found online.

Oct. 12:

Who Should Pay and How Much? Apportioning Cost and Responsibility Among Rich and Poor Countries in International Trade and Climate Change Negotiations — The ongoing international negotiations under the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round and the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change have a common, confounding challenge — how to equitably allocate obligations and costs among poor and rich countries.  The rift remains enormous — do negotiations stand a chance of bridging this divide?
9 – 10:30 a.m.

Proliferating Protocols: What’s the Potential Impact of the Nagoya Biodiversity Protocols on Trade and Intellectual Property Rights?

Should intellectual property and trade lawyers care about environmental treaties?  Recent developments suggest they should.  Until October 2010, the Convention on Biological Diversity had but one protocol — the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.  The most recent conference of parties under that convention added two protocols: (1) the Nagoya Protocol focuses on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of using those resources; and (2) the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol addresses liability for “living modified organisms.”  The former employs the familiar prior informed consent while the latter was in part a product of an innovative compact by six biotech seed companies that agreed to provide compensation for scientifically documented harm to biodiversity.
2:30 – 4 p.m.

From Below the Earth to Around the World:  Managing Multi-Jurisdictional Issues that Are Inherent in the Mining Industry: Given the global and regulated nature of the mining industry, when trouble arises, a multitude of jurisdictions are usually involved. This panel will bring together experts from various jurisdictions with differing expertise to discuss how the global nature of the industry affects how a dispute is resolved.
4:30 – 6 p.m.

Oct. 13:

Ireland’s Low Carbon Transition:  Regulatory, Policy and Financial Drivers: The transition to a low-carbon economy presents immense opportunities and challenges.  The European legislative framework for renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change, along with how Ireland has sought to implement this framework and position itself as a leading global green economy, will be discussed.
9 – 10:30 a.m.

ABA International was founded in 1933 and leads the development of international legal policy, the promotion of the rule of law, and the education of international law practitioners.  It is the only ABA entity that focuses exclusively on international legal issues.  ABA International has over 23,000 members in 90 countries, including 1500 in-house counsel.  The section has more than 60 committees, task forces, and working groups devoted to substantive legal issues or focused on geographic areas all over the world, monitoring and disseminating information on international policy developments that effect international legal practice.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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