Expert Seminar: Legal Mapping of Sustainability. The Codification and Progressive Development of Sustainability

Legal Experts Gather at the Royal Academy in Madrid to Map the Jurisprudence of Sustainability

MADRID, Spain – April 30, 2024 – The Real Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislación (RAJL) hosted a significant seminar titled "Legal Cartography of Sustainability: Codification and Progressive Development" on Tuesday, April 30th. The event brought together leading academics and experts in international law to analyze the evolving legal nature and scope of the principle of sustainability in both international and domestic legal systems.

The seminar, directed by Professors Cástor M. Díaz Barrado, Carlos R. Fernández Liesa, and Sagrario Morán López, aimed to create a comprehensive "legal map" of international norms and their incorporation into national legal frameworks. The discussions focused on the codification and progressive development of international sustainability law, with a particular emphasis on the Ibero-American context.

The event was inaugurated by prominent figures including Ángel Arias and Beatriz López Boada from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Segundo Piriz from the Universidad Internacional de la Empresa, and the presidents of the RAJL. The seminar was organized within the framework of the research project PID2022-1383339OB-100 and the activities of the Chair of Sustainability at UC3M.

The day was structured into three key panel discussions:

1. Sustainability, Codification, and Progressive Development of International Law: Moderated by Professor Ana Manero Salvador, this panel featured experts including Harold Bertot Triana, Félix Vacas Fernández, and Antonio Blanc Altemir. They explored the consensus within the international community and the juridical nature of sustainability obligations.

2. Sustainability and National and International Non-State Actors, with Special Reference to Companies: Chaired by Professor Cástor Díaz Barrado, this session included contributions from Jorge Urbaneja Cillán, Carmen Marquez Carrasco, and business law experts. The discussion centered on the role and responsibilities of corporations in the global sustainability landscape.

3. Sustainability and Intercultural Coexistence: The final panel, moderated by Professor Sagrario Morán López, featured Daniel Oliva, Florabel Quispe, and Víctor Gutiérrez Castillo, among others. This segment addressed the crucial intersection of sustainability with cultural diversity and global coexistence.

The seminar concluded with a final report of conclusions presented by Professor Carlos R. Fernández Liesa, summarizing the day's insights into the advancements, achievements, and existing gaps in the jurisprudence of sustainability.

The event underscored the Royal Academy's commitment to fostering academic dialogue on critical legal issues and positioning itself at the forefront of the development of international law in the 21st century.