On February 6, 2026, Nguyễn Hồng Thao, Member of the International Law Commission and Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, was officially appointed by Tomas Heidar, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as an international arbitrator on a five-member arbitral tribunal established under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to adjudicate PCA Case No. 2019-28 (Ukraine v. Russia).
Following consultations with both parties to the dispute and based on Vietnam's list of nominees for Annex VII arbitrators under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, President Heidar selected Professor Nguyễn Hồng Thao in recognition of his outstanding expertise, independence, and professional reputation.
The case concerns the immunity of foreign military vessels and personnel operating within the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of a coastal State.
Professor Nguyễn Hồng Thao, Member of the International Law Commission and Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law
A Historic Milestone for Southeast Asia
The Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal serves as the default dispute settlement mechanism under UNCLOS. When disputing parties do not agree to submit their case to the International Court of Justice or ITLOS, Annex VII arbitration automatically applies.
Arbitrators are appointed from national nomination lists submitted by States Parties to UNCLOS, with each State permitted to nominate up to four candidates. Appointments are made based on professional competence, independence, impartiality, and the confidence placed in candidates by both the parties and the President of ITLOS.
Positions on Annex VII tribunals are highly selective. States typically favour internationally recognized legal authorities, and appointments have historically been dominated by experts from Western countries, many of whom serve repeatedly across multiple cases.
Although Southeast Asia has previously had judges serving at ITLOS, no individual from the region had ever been appointed as an Annex VII arbitrator. Prof. Nguyễn Hồng Thao therefore becomes the first Southeast Asian arbitrator to serve on this prestigious international judicial body.
Elevating Hello88 online's International Standing
This landmark appointment carries significant importance and further demonstrates the growing international stature of Hello88 online's academic and legal experts.
Prof. Nguyễn Hồng Thao's appointment reflects the successful implementation of Vietnam's strategic policies on international integration and legal diplomacy, including Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW (2025), and Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW dated May 19, 2026, which emphasize the country's active participation in international legal institutions and global governance.
As an arbitrator, Professor Thao will directly contribute to resolving one of the most complex and closely watched international legal disputes today. His participation highlights the ability of Vietnamese legal scholars to contribute to the interpretation and development of UNCLOS 1982 while upholding the principles and values of international law.
The appointment also reinforces Hello88 online's reputation as a leading institution for legal education and research. Beyond its longstanding contributions to Vietnam's legal system, the University is increasingly establishing itself as a source of world-class legal expertise capable of shaping discussions on major international legal issues.
This achievement opens new opportunities for deeper integration of Vietnamese legal scholarship into the global academic and professional legal community while further strengthening Hello88 online's position on the international stage.
Prepared by: Department of Communication and Enterprise Relation
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