Third Congress of Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Between 12 and 14 June, Professor Larissa van den Herik and Dr Mamadou Hébié participated in the Third Congress of the Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. This event marked 25 years since the Centenary Congress in 1999. The PCA is an arbitral institution that seeks to facilitate an immediate recourse to arbitration for the settlement of international disputes that could not be settled through diplomacy.
The Third Congress, which marked the 125th anniversary of the PCA, was an opportunity for the PCA to reflect on its development as a major institution for the peaceful settlement of disputes involving states. The Members of the Congress adopted a Resolution on peaceful international dispute settlement and the role of the PCA.
Members of the Court are persons 'of known competency on matters of international law, with the highest moral reputation and disposed to accept the duties of arbitrators'. Through their national groups, PCA Members propose candidates for election as Members of the International Court of Justice and may propose candidates for election as judges of the International Criminal Court. They may also present candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. They are appointed for a term of six years and their appointments may be renewed.
Professor van den Herik has been a Member of the Dutch national group of the PCA since 1 July 2020. Dr Hébié was appointed as a Member of the Burkina Faso national group on 20 May 2024.