Speakers

• H.E. Christian Wenaweser, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the UN
• Wolfgang F. Danspeckgruber, Founding Director, Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

Ambassador Christian Wenaweser will highlight the importance of international legal norms, the way in which international law is increasingly undermined, and show how states can respond at the United Nations.  He will address examples including the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, measures taken against officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the role of international law in the conflict in the Middle East. In conversation with Dr. Wolfgang Danspeckgruber he will also shed light on further global crises and challenges.

About the Speakers

Mr. Christian Wenaweser, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary has been the Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the United Nations in New York since 2002. From 2020 to 2022, he led Liechtenstein’s efforts at the United Nations to reform the use of the veto in the Security Council (known as the ‘Veto Initiative’), which came to fruition when the General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus in April 2022. Wenaweser has also been deeply involved in establishing the International Criminal Court, and chaired its Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression from 2004 to 2009, and from 2009 to 2011, he served as President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Other previously held functions include: President of the Meeting of States Parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (2006); Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on the Scope of Legal Protection under the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel (2003-2005); Vice-Chair of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security Council Reform (2004-2005), and co-author with Amb. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of its June 2007 report; President of the Meeting of States Parties of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (2003); and Chairman of the Third Committee of the 57^th session of the General Assembly.

Ambassador Wenaweser joined the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein in New York in 1991. He was educated at Zurich University (literature, languages, history and philosophy) and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (diplomacy).

Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any event do not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

This event will be followed by a Wine and Cheese Reception in 300 Wallace Hall from 5:30-6:30 pm.