IMLI 35th Anniversary

2024 is a very special year for the International Maritime Law Institute being the 35^th Anniversary from its creation.

The International Maritime Law Institute is a very important consultative Member of the CMI and the CMI has been supporting IMLI in its noble aims since inception. Through the CMI Charitable Trust chaired by Tom Birch Reynardson, the CMI provides and supports the attendance of expert lecturers closely associated with the CMI as well as the CMI Prize for the Best Overall Student.

To celebrate this very special Anniversary IMLI had numerous activities including a special Anniversary Celebration at the IMO in London in May. IMLI Director Prof. Norman Martinez and Senior Lecturer Dr. Elda Belja addressed LEG 111 which was followed by a special celebratory party afterwards. Numerous CMI persons were able to attend including the President Ann Fenech, Charitable Trust Chair and Exco member Tom Birch Reynardson, Barbara Holland MLAUS President, Paula Backden Swedish MLA President and Exco member, Tomotaka Fujita Japanese MLA vice President and Gen Goto from the Japanese MLA, Eduardo Albors Spanish CMI Exco Member, Maria Borg Barthet Rapporteur for the CMI IWG on ratification of conventions, Henrik Ringbom CMI IWG on MASS.

Later in June IMLI organised a very successful international seminar in Malta in June and our President Ann Fenech was invited on a Panel and spoke on the Role of the CMI in the drafting of International Maritime Conventions and its relationship with UN institutions int he quest for the Unification of International Maritime Law.

Finally and to close the academic year, on the 29^th June IMLI held its graduation ceremony held under the patronage of the Secretary General of the IMO Mr. Arsenio Dominguez who came specially for the occasion. This was a very special event where Ann Fenech awarded the CMI Prize for the Best Overall Student. The Prize this year went to Mr. Ante Vojkovic from Croatia. The CMI Prize consists in funding the participation of the Prize Winner at the next CMI Colloquium. In 2025 it will be Japan, and so we look forward to welcoming Mr. Vojkovic to Tokyo next year where he will also be invited to give a short presentation at the General Assembly.

Since January to the end of the academic year numerous CMI persons have contributed to the teaching programme at IMLI including: included Ann Fenech, Paula Backden, Marko Pavliha, Rosalie Balkin, Andew Taylor, Henrik Ringbom, Aldo Chircop, Mans Jacobssen and Mitja Grbec

Many congratulations to IMLI and to the new Director Prof. Norman Martinez who has continued to take IMLI from strength to strength.