The Faculty of Law, Diponegoro University, once again held the second series of the UNDIP Global Classroom (UGC) 2026, highlighting current issues in international law. Themed “International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the Law of the Sea and Climate Change,” the event highlighted the relevance of international maritime law in addressing global climate change.
The discussion began with the fundamental question of whether the current maritime law regime is adequate to address the increasingly complex dynamics of climate change. Environmental changes impacting the oceans, coastlines, and state responsibilities demand new interpretations and approaches to international law.
The keynote speaker was Prof. Volker Roeben, Ph.D., from Durham University. In his presentation, he explained that the role of international tribunals, particularly the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), is no longer limited to dispute resolution but is also evolving to interpret state legal obligations amidst rapid global change.
M. Nafi Uz Zaman, S.H., M.H., also attended as a discussant, providing additional perspectives and critical responses to the issues raised in the discussion. The interaction between the speakers and participants was dynamic, reflecting the high level of interest in connecting international law with environmental issues.
The event, held online via Zoom on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, was attended by students, particularly those taking the International Law course, as well as members of the Diponegoro University Faculty of Law (Undip). The discussion provided a reflective space to explore the adequacy of the existing legal framework and to encourage new thinking regarding legal adaptation to global environmental urgencies.
Through the UNDIP Global Classroom, the Diponegoro University Faculty of Law continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing learning that is responsive to global issues and strengthens students’ academic capacity to critically and comprehensively understand developments in international law.