Call for Papers
The African Society of International Law (AfSIL) is pleased to invite you to submit your
contributions to its eleventh annual conference which will take place in Cairo, Egypt on 28 and 29 October 2022.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Africa and the Challenge of Climate Change”.
Last year, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (“IPCC”) published a
report on climate change based on more than 14,000 studies developed by scientists around the world. Issuing a “code red for humanity”, the report makes clear that we can no longer stop global warming from intensifying over the next 30 years. New extremes that are unprecedented in magnitude, frequency, and timing will occur in every region of the world. The IPCC warns that unless deep reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions occur urgently, it will be impossible to stabilize global temperatures and achieve the internationally agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming. Every fraction of a
degree of warming is said to count.
Today’s interconnectedness makes it impossible for the African continent to withdraw from the
growing global threat of Climate Change. Presently, Africa accounts for 7 of the 10 countries that are most vulnerable to Climate Change, with Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique among the most affected countries. Climate Change is one of Africa’s biggest challenges, which if not addressed will lead to unprecedented difficulties with impacts on food, agriculture, migration, public health & livelihood, infrastructure investments, the economy, and security across the continent.
The Conference
Climate Change is engaging legal actors and institutions from virtually every sector. The Conference will explore concerns, practical challenges, as well as solutions and efforts to tackle climate change in Africa.
It aims to bring together prominent academics, policymakers, practitioners, jurists, and experts to explore the issue of Climate Change as it relates to various fields of international law with the goal of understanding both the magnitude of the challenges and the opportunities we must seize before it is too late.
Thematic areas for discussion include (but are not limited to):
➢ Theme I: Integrated and Improved Climate Rules and Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation in
Africa
➢ Theme II: Africa, Climate Change Negotiations, and the Paris Agreement
➢ Theme III: Climate Change, African Trade and the AfCFTA
➢ Theme IV: Climate Change, and International Investment Law
➢ Theme V: Climate Change, the Environment and Sustainable Development
➢ Theme VI: Climate Change and Human Rights
➢ Theme VII: Climate Change and Disputes Resolution
➢ Theme VIII: Climate Change and the Law of the Sea
➢ Theme IX: Climate Change, Disaster Law, and Security.
Participants may also address other topics beyond those encompassed in the themes above.
Selected papers will be presented at the Conference on 28 and 29 October 2022.
Please submit an abstract of 250-500 words (in English or French), with the author’s name, biography or CV, and contact details, to Mr. Karim M’ZIANI at [email protected].
Venue and Expenses
The Conference will be held in Cairo, Egypt. Further information will be communicated to the
participants. We will enable virtual participation for participants unable to travel. AfSIL is unable to cover
the travel and accommodation expenses of participants.
The registration fee for those attending the Conference in Cairo is 100USD for general participants
and 50USD for students and PhD candidates. Virtual participation is free.
Timeline
➢ Abstracts due: 15 May 2022
➢ Notification of acceptance: 15 June 2022
➢ Draft papers due: 15 September 2022
➢ Conference: 28-29 October 2022
➢ Final papers for publication: 31 November 2022
Should you have any questions about the conference, please contact [email protected]
