Centre for International Law and ADCEP

It has been a very hectic week in the schedule. The Law Faculty at the National University of Malaysia where I am attached to, has decided to move forward with the formation of the Centre for International Law and Siyar (CILAS). CILAS will focus on pertinent issues in International Law and Islamic International Law. For a start CILAS will focus on 4 main topics: Competition issues led by Associate Professor Dr. Safinaz Hussin; ASEAN issues led by Dr. Salawati Mat Basir; International Trade and Development by Dr. Anowar Zahid and Maritime and Space by Dr. Mahmud Zuhdi. Mr. Aminurasyeed who has many years of experience in Islamic Finance will now look into the aspects of Islamic International Law. We look forward to CILAS making NUM a leading centre for International Law in ASEAN.

At the same time a group of like minded friends will be launching the Asia Pacific Centre for Economic Diplomacy (APCED) at the end of the week. The team comprises of highly experienced trade and economic diplomats led by Ambassador Dato' Muhamad Noor Yacob, Malaysian former Ambassador to the WTO and a former Executive Director of APEC. Another prominent member is Dato' Kamaruddin Hassan, formerly Deputy CEO of the Malaysian External Trade Board (MATRADE). APCED will act as a private think tank, which will focus on international trade and development and international investments.

Dr. Sufian Jusoh will be leading both the CILAS and APCED.

All the best for today.