Published on 7 September 2018 in Client Alerts

A UN working Group issues draft binding international instrument on Business and Human Rights

In June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution drafted by Ecuador and South Africa to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to elaborate an international legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with respect to human rights.  Chaired by Ecuador, the intergovernmental working group (IGWG) has met three times (July 2015, October 2016 and October 2017).   Elements for a draft  legally binding instrument were issued by the Chair in September 2017, and a Zero Draft instrument and optional protocol were presented in July 2018 (a summary of the Zero Draft is available here).  A fourth IGWG session will be held in Geneva in October 2018.

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The Council of Europe adopts the Chișinău Declaration to address the application of the European Convention on Human Rights to migration issues

On 15 May 2026, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Chișinău Declaration.  The Chișinău Declaration sets out the Member States’ collective position on the scope and application of the European Convention on Human Rights (the “ECHR”) to certain migration-related matters, such as expulsion of foreigners convicted of serious crimes, mass arrivals, the instrumentalisation of migration and co-operation with third countries regarding asylum procedures. 

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Cambodia and Thailand to engage in compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS over unilaterally severed Maritime Pact

On 5 May 2026, Thailand announced a unilateral termination of its Memorandum of Understanding dated 18 June 2001 (“Agreement”) with Cambodia pertaining to their joint exploration rights in the area of their overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf.

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European Union publishes draft changes to its current foreign direct investment screening system

On 10 February 2026, the Council of the European Union published a near final draft of a regulation to change the European Union (“EU”) rules on screening foreign direct investments.  Once implemented, the changes will significantly affect foreign investments into the EU.

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Canada and South Korea Sign Defence Agreement 

On 25 February 2026, Canada and the Republic of Korea signed a new defence agreement in Ottawa during a Canada–Republic of Korea Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting.  The agreement establishes a framework for the exchange and protection of classified military and defence information, following negotiations concluded in October 2025. The agreement forms part of broader

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