From 17 to 19 March 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted the Focal Points Retreat of the Asia-Pacific Academic Network on International Criminal Justice ("Network") at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Netherlands).
The retreat brought together four representatives of the Network: the regional coordinator and national focal point for Japan, Professor Philipp Osten of Keio University (Japan), the national focal points from the Republic of Korea, Professor Young Sok Kim of Ewha Womans University and Professor Hyeyoung Lee of Seoul National University, as well as a representative of the national focal point from Mongolia, Professor Tamir Boldbaatar of the National University of Mongolia. They were joined by ICC President Tomoko Akane, Judges Keebong Paek and Erdenebalsuren Damdin, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, together with ICC representatives working on Asia Pacific initiatives.
The retreat followed the Inaugural Asia‑Pacific Academic Forum, held in Tokyo in November 2025 in collaboration with Keio University. The Forum brought together representatives from ten universities in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Mongolia - institutions with which the Court has concluded Memoranda of Understanding - to foster dialogue and explore long‑term academic collaboration in support of international criminal justice across the region, with the aim of expanding the network's composition.
Over three days, participants built on discussions initiated during the Tokyo Forum and advanced efforts to formalise the Asia Pacific Academic Network. Discussions focused on strengthening academic engagement with the Court's mandate, developing joint research and exchange initiatives, and identifying concrete collaborative activities for 2026 and beyond.
"Academic institutions play a vital role in advancing knowledge and dialogue on international criminal justice," ICC President Tomoko Akane said. "Through the Asia Pacific Academic Network, the Court seeks to strengthen partnerships with universities across the region and support a new generation of scholars committed to the study of accountability and the rule of law."
Through this initiative, the Court aims to support broader regional engagement with the ICC, enhance academic dialogue on international criminal justice in the Asia Pacific region, and contribute to building a sustainable network of scholars and institutions interested in the study of international criminal justice.
The Court is very grateful to the European Union for its generous financial support of this event and previous Asia-Pacific initiatives held since 2018.
