ANNOUNCEMENTS

49TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS LAW & POLICY – COLP49

ΕΠΙΣΤΡΟΦΗ ΣΤΗ ΛΙΣΤΑ
49th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy – COLP49

The School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Athens Public International Law Center (Athens PIL) are co-hosting the 49th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP49) on 21–22 September 2026, on the central theme: “Maritime Security in the Mediterranean Sea and Beyond”.

The Conference brings together leading representatives of the academic community, international organizations, and institutions, as well as experts in the Law of the Sea and maritime security in Athens, aiming to foster knowledge exchange and meaningful dialogue on current challenges facing the Mediterranean and the global maritime environment.

The proceedings will begin on Monday, 21 September 2026, at 09:30, with participant registrations in the Ceremony Hall of the Main Building of the University of Athens.

The official opening ceremony will take place at 10:00, featuring an opening address by the Rector of NKUA, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, and welcome remarks by:

  • Professor James Kraska, Charles H. Stockton Chair of International Maritime Law, US Naval War College

  • Professor Ronán Long, Director, WMU – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation Professorial Chair of Ocean Governance & the Law of the Sea, World Maritime University (WMU)

  • Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, MP, Chair of the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for the Oceans

  • Professor Maria Gavouneli, Law School of the University of Athens, Director of the Athens Public International Law Center (Athens PIL)

This will be followed by a keynote speech by Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament, Dora Bakoyannis, titled: “Maritime Security in a Regional Context: The Mediterranean”.

Starting in the afternoon of the same day, parallel sessions will take place in the "Ioannis Drakopoulos" Auditorium and the "Alkis Argyriadis" Auditorium of NKUA's Main Building. Proceedings will resume on Tuesday, 22 September, from 09:00, in the same auditoriums.

The Closing Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at 17:30, in the Great Hall (Megali Aithousa) of the University of Athens.

More information on the program: https://www.colp49athens2026.gr/