Foley Hoag will once again be sponsoring the XXI Annual Conference of The European Society of International Law, taking place at the Faculty of Law, University of Málaga, under the overarching theme International Law and Conflict: An Enduring Tension? This year's conference will provide a unique forum for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to reflect on how international law confronts conflict in its many forms. By revisiting fundamental concepts and examining contemporary crises, the conference aims to illuminate paths for reinforcing the effectiveness, legitimacy, and fairness of the international legal order.

From its very inception, international law has been shaped by the need to address and contain conflict. While the aspiration of peaceful coexistence and cooperation among nations has remained central, today’s international order is marked by renewed tensions and systemic challenges. Political polarization, the rise of populist movements, conspiracy narratives, and radicalization are increasingly undermining multilateral institutions and eroding confidence in the international legal framework. These dynamics not only fuel confrontation between states and non-state actors but also call into question the very effectiveness and legitimacy of international law.

The conference seeks to engage critically with the multiple dimensions of this enduring tension. In recent years, we have witnessed how ideological extremism and intolerance destabilize democratic societies, fueling hostile attitudes towards human rights and the rule of law. At the same time, economic and trade relations are increasingly weaponized, as illustrated by the paralysis of the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, the rise of unilateral sanctions, and growing frictions among the world’s major economic actors. These developments have deep repercussions for global equity, development, and the protection of vulnerable populations.