This meeting was a continuation of the first Asia-Pacific Academic Forum, which was attended by representatives from ten universities in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mongolia — institutions with which the Court has signed MoUs.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) held an off-site meeting of the coordinators of the Asia-Pacific Academic Network on International Criminal Justice from March 17 to 19, 2026, at its headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands). This information was published by MiddleAsianNews.
Four representatives from the Network participated in the meeting: national and regional coordinators from Japan, Professor Philip Osten from Keio University, as well as national coordinators from the Republic of Korea, Professor Yong Sok Kim from Ewha Womans University, and Professor Hyeon Lee from Seoul National University, along with Professor Tamir Boldbaatar representing Mongolia and the National University of Mongolia.
from left: Tamir Boldbaatar, Philip Osten, Tomoko Akane, Hyeon Lee, and Yong Sok Kim
Among the participants were ICC President Tomoko Akane, judges Kibong Baek and Erdenebalsuren Damdin, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shamim Khan, and other ICC representatives involved in initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
This meeting continued discussions that began at the first Asia-Pacific Academic Forum, which took place in Tokyo in November 2025 in collaboration with Keio University. Representatives from ten universities in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mongolia gathered at the forum to discuss ways to develop dialogue and long-term cooperation in the field of international criminal justice.
Over three days, participants continued to build discussions and efforts to formalize the Asia-Pacific Academic Network. The main focus was on strengthening the interaction of the academic community with the Court's objectives, developing joint research and exchange initiatives, and identifying specific areas of cooperation for 2026 and beyond.
"Academic institutions play a key role in disseminating knowledge and dialogue on international criminal justice issues," noted ICC President Tomoko Akane. "Through the Asia-Pacific Academic Network, the Court aims to strengthen cooperation with universities in the region and support a new generation of scholars engaged in accountability and the rule of law issues."
As part of its initiative, the Court plans to facilitate broader engagement with regions, expand the academic dialogue on international criminal justice in the Asia-Pacific region, and create a sustainable network of scholars and educational institutions interested in studying this field.
