In recent years, ‘cities and international law’ has become a rich and diverse research field (Aust & Nijman, 2021). In the contemporary international order, western cities, such as the Hague – “the Legal Capital of the World” (van Krieken & McKay), continue to play a key role in shaping contemporary international law. However, the existing literature, to large extent, focuses on western cities, especially European cities.
Join this webinar as we shift the spotlight from European capitals to ASEAN – one of the world's most rapidly urbanizing regions and an engine of economic growth. This session will examine the role of major ASEAN cities, such as Singapore, Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok in the international legal order from two dimensions: 1) the impact of ASEAN cities on the international legal order and 2) how major cities in ASEAN address the challenges of urbanisation through international law.
SPEAKER
Associate Professor LIU Nengye teaches and conducts research on the law of the sea and international environmental law at SMU Yong Pung How School of Law. Professor LIU has taken the lead to edit three books: “The European Union and the Arctic” (Brill, 2017), “Governing Marine Living Resources in the Polar Regions” (Edward Elgar, 2019); “The Law of the Sea and the Planetary Crisis” (Routledge, 2025); published 50+ refereed journal articles (e.g., International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Leiden Journal of International Law, Transnational Environmental Law, International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Review of European Comparative and International Environmental Law) and book chapters (e.g., Cambridge University Press, Hart); and delivered 100+ presentations about his research findings across five continents. Professor LIU is regularly covered by international media, including, for example, BBC, ABC News, The Atlantic, Strait Times and Channel News Asia (CNA). He sits on the editorial board of Marine Policy (Elsevier), Ocean Development and International Law (Taylor & Francis) and Polar Record (Cambridge University Press). Professor Liu is the Founding Chair of Steering Committee of Asia Pacific Research Alliance on Law and Sustainability (2024 – present) and the Founding Director of Singapore Sustainable Futures Initiative (2025 – present) at SMU’s Centre for Commercial Law in Asia. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Law of the Sea Interest Group, American Society of International Law (2025 – 2028) and a Member of International Law Association Committee Urbanisation and International Law – Potentials and Pitfalls (2024 – 2028).
FEES
| a. | Registration Fee
Registration fee of S$163.50* (inclusive of GST) applies |
| b. | Group Registration
Registration fee of S$147.15* (inclusive of GST) applies |
| c. | SMU Alumni (LLB / JD / LLM graduates)
Registration fee of S$147.15* (inclusive of GST) applies |
| | * Please note that there will be no refund of any fees should the participant cancel the registration/ fail to attend the event. However, registration is transferable. Notice of any change in participant should be sent to the Academy via email by 19 May 2026. SMU Law Academy reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event. In such case, we will arrange for the refund of fees paid. |
