Browse news and updates on recent events, as well as blogs contributed by Asian law professionals within the region.
Articles
Strong institutions can nourish inclusive, sustainable green growth
Just as strong roots are the foundation of strong trees, strong institutions are the foundation of strong and sustainable economies. Strong institutions—such as a transparent judiciary, a robust constitution, and explicit rules and regulations—are at the heart of all of the world’s most vibrant economies.
Climate Science and Litigation: It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here
Climate change is coming and it’s coming to a court near you. Climate litigation in Asia and the Pacific will grow and it will increasingly emerge as an issue during environmental and other litigation. Awareness of the science will be important for understanding the nature of cases in your docket and for resolving litigation.
2018 was a busy year for the environment and climate change issues. The year was one of the warmest - well within the top 10 and continuing the trend of breaking historical temperature records (recent reports actually say it is the warmest on record!).
Climate Change: Let’s Talk About The Role of Courts
On 7 and 8 June 2018, the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL, National University of Singapore) co-hosted a climate change litigation scholarship workshop with Yale Law School.
Walk the Talk: A Sustainable Workshop for Bhutan’s Judiciary
On 19-20 July 2018, the Workshop on Environmental Adjudication for the Judiciary of Bhutan was held in the capital Thimphu. ADB’s Office of the General Counsel organized the event, in partnership with UN Environment and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Over 50 judges and court officers from the High Court and all districts courts completed the interactive workshop.
Asian judges should unite to fight climate change
At a time when halting climate change seems impossible, let us work with our judiciaries and become their partners to deal with this crisis head-on.
Companies in Viet Nam to become liable for environmental crimes
Viet Nam is a country rich in biodiversity, but is also facing rapid economic growth, with a resultant increase in environmental threats. Viet Nam has already experienced a number of significant environmental problems, the most devastating often being the result of corporate—rather than specific individual—activity.
Asian judiciary: Emerging leaders in climate change action
In the flurry of reports and social media updates on the progress of COP21—and its historic success—there has been a major focus on the role of national governments working together to shape effective global climate change policy and regulatory reform.
How ADB got judiciary to lead work on the environment
The Asian Judges Network on Environment (AJNE) was started at the Asian Judges Symposium attended by senior judiciaries. Under this initiative, judicial roundtables have been held in South and Southeast Asia. Asia is the only region in the world which convenes Chief Justices’ roundtables dedicated to environmental justice – and ADB is the only regional multilateral development bank supporting such meetings.
Established in October 1991, SAARCLAW is a regional apex body of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It is composed of judges, lawyers, law academics, and other stakeholders in South Asia. It has an Honorary Secretary-General with an Executive Council and country chapters. According to its Charter, SAARCLAW was formed for the purposes of disseminating information, promoting cooperation and understanding of the legal developments in the region, and developing law as an instrument of social change.
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Asian Development Bank convenes global environmental leaders at Stockholm+50 Conference
Thomas Clark, General Counsel of the Asian Development Bank addressed global environmental leaders on the need to strengthen the environmental rule of law to accelerate action in addressing the triple planetary crises of climate, nature, and pollution at Stockholm+50 Conference.
Myanmar Conference Recognized as an Outstanding Knowledge Partnership Event
ADB’s Governance Thematic Group (GovTG) awarded the Asia-Pacific Judicial Conference on Environmental and Climate Change Adjudication, held on 29-30 October 2018 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, as an outstanding Knowledge Partnership Event. In awarding ceremonies last 26 March 2019, the GovTG noted the many firsts and achievements of the event.
The Asia Pacific Judicial Conference on Environmental and Climate Change Adjudication was a continuation of the annual judicial and chief justices’ conferences organized in the ASEAN and SAARC regions since 2011 under the banner of the Asian Judges Network on Environment (AJNE). For the first time, judges from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Pacific came together to discuss pressing environmental and climate change issues. Judges learned about solutions and success stories to environmental challenges from around the world and explored their role in the age of climate change litigation.
Delaware Law School presents its 2019 International Legal Scholars Academy for Judiciary, Practitioners, and Law Students. Our one-week immersion program offers an opportunity to explore U.S. legal concepts and various current topics. Participants receive an educational and cultural experience and collaborate with judges and scholars from around the globe.
MDBs Announce Joint Framework to Combat Climate Change
Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) today announced a joint framework for aligning their activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement, reinforcing their commitment to combat climate change.
Environmental adjudication for the judiciary of Bhutan
A workshop on environmental adjudication for the judiciary of Bhutan, recommended awareness programmes, need to include climate change in the education curriculum, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, and capacity building to combat climate change in the country.
In this issue of Development Advocate Pakistan, Irum Ahsan, Senior Counsel of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), shares her thoughts on citizen access to governance institutions and ADB's work in building the country's judicial capacity in the areas of gender sensitaztion and human rights.
Justices of the Supreme Court of the Union U Aung Zaw Thein and U Soe Naing received Ms. Irum Ahsan, Senior Counsel, Asian Development Bank(ADB) Consultation Mission at 10:30 in the Meeting Hall(down floor) of the Supreme Court of the Union.
Chief Justice of the Union U Htun Htun Oo received Ms. Irum Ahsan, Senior Counsel, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Consultation Mission at 09:30 in the Meeting Hall of the Supreme Court of the Union.
Judicial colloquium to address climate issue
LAHORE: The two-day Asia Pacific Judicial Colloquium on climate justice held by the Lahore High Court concluded with an effective resolution and road map to deal with the threat of climate change in the region here on Tuesday.