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The 2024 edition of the International Programme for Law and Development (IPLD) took place from June 6 to July 4. It featured growing cooperation with outstanding academic institutions, renowned professors, and practitioners worldwide. Like the previous editions, this year’s programme was generously funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation<\/a>, with the support and collaboration of the Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS\/MAECI)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The IPLD inaugural session hosted an official online seminar on June 5, 2024. On that occasion, Prof. Maria Chiara Malaguti, President of UNIDROIT<\/a>, and Prof. Anna Veneziano, Deputy Secretary-General<\/a> of the Institute, welcomed 18 experts from 15 African countries, including judges, public attorneys, legal officers and legislative drafters, who engaged in a ten-day discussion on UNIDROIT’s legal instruments, focusing on how these tools can contribute to the unification of law and economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n On the same occasion, Minister Plenipotentiary Giovanni Battista Iannuzzi<\/a>, representing the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Ambassador of South Africa to Italy<\/a>, emphasised the importance of the IPLD in fostering collaboration, dialogue, and empowerment of young legal professionals in Africa. They highlighted the key role of their respective countries in facilitating relations between UNIDROIT and African countries.<\/span><\/p>\n The online component ran until June 14, 2024. Participants explored various private and commercial law harmonisation aspects through seminars and practical sessions with prestigious academics, renowned legal practitioners, and UNIDROIT legal officers and fellows.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The in-person component commenced on June 17, 2024, at Villa Aldobrandini, UNIDROIT’s headquarters in Rome<\/a>. High-level diplomatic representatives and officials from international organisations attended the event. Prof. Maria Chiara Malaguti and Ignacio Tirado, Secretary General of UNIDROIT,<\/a> welcomed the 18 participants in person, emphasising how private law frameworks can drive sustainable economic growth in the region and the importance of reinforcing ties between African countries and UNIDROIT.<\/span><\/p>\n The first residential session, held on June 18, focused on the\u00a0UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts. It included a seminar titled\u00a0“UNIDROIT Principles in the MENA Region: A Case Study from Egypt,”\u00a0with presentations from\u00a0Dr. Philine Wehling<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Judge Mohamed A.M. Ismail<\/a>, and a workshop on the practical application of the Principles led by\u00a0Prof. Giacomo Rojas Elgueta<\/a> and\u00a0Mr. Michele Jus (Danieli Group)<\/a>. The participants’ questions enriched the discussions, contributing to a robust exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n On June 21, Mr. Jos\u00e9 Angelo Estrella-Faria<\/a> delivered a seminar on “Restitution of Colonial Cultural Property,” which engaged participants in international legal frameworks for cultural heritage restitution.<\/span><\/p>\n On June 24, Dr. Howard Rosen<\/a>, Dr. Mesela Nlapo (RWG)<\/a>, and Prof. Anna Veneziano led a Luxembourg Rail Protocol seminar examining its impact on transport infrastructure development in African nations.<\/span><\/p>\n On June 25, Professor Jean-Francois Riffard<\/a> and Mr William Brydie-Watson<\/a> discussed the Mining, Agriculture, and Construction (MAC) Protocol to the Cape Town Convention. They focused on how the Protocol can improve access to credit for critical sectors in Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n On June 26,\u00a0Dr Iyare Otabor-Olubor<\/a> and Mr William Brydie-Watson led an interactive session on Access to Credit in Africa. Professor Henry Gabriel<\/a> then led a discussion on the UNIDROIT Model Law on Factoring, which explored how it can facilitate access to credit for SMEs and enhance trade.<\/span><\/p>\n Participants delved deeper into:<\/span><\/p>\n On July 1, participants attended a session on the Aircraft Protocol to the Cape Town Convention, delivered by Prof. Jeffrey Wool (AWG)<\/a> and moderated by Prof. Anna Veneziano.<\/p>\n On July 2, Prof. Roberto Isibor<\/a>, introduced by Dr. Rocco Palma<\/a>, held a seminar on “The Geopolitical Role of Law in Africa.” The seminar discussed the legal challenges and opportunities law harmonisation raises in Africa’s geopolitical landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the third edition of the IPLD concluded with a formal ceremony at Villa Aldobrandini.<\/span><\/p>\n Speeches were delivered by Prof. Maria Chiara Malaguti, President of UNIDROIT, Hon. Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy<\/a>, H.E. Nosipho Nausca-Jean Ngcaba, Ambassador of South Africa to Italy, and Prof. Ignacio Tirado. Secretary General of UNIDROIT. Representatives from various diplomatic missions in Rome also attended the event.<\/span><\/p>\n In conclusion, Prof. Anna Veneziano, Deputy Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, and Minister Plenipotentiary Marco Giungi, representing the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy<\/a>, awarded the participants the final certificates.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n During the programme, expert speakers were interviewed, launching a mini-series of videos that captured the key discussions from the 2024 IPLD.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.unidroit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2024-0610-at-10.15.10-300x169.jpeg\")
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