The panel took place during the 2026 International Law Weekend, organised by the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA) at Fordham Law School from 22 to 24 October 2026. Under the title “Immunity Under Pressure: International Organizations Between Functional Protection and Adequate Accountability”, it brought together academics and practitioners to discuss current challenges concerning the immunities of international organizations. Christiane Ahlborn, of the Department of International Law and International Relations at the University of Graz, co-organised the panel with Michael Moffatt and moderated the discussion.
The panel was supported by ABILA’s United Nations Law Committee, which Ahlborn co-chairs with Moffatt.
A central question was how the protection international organizations need to carry out their functions can be reconciled with accountability and effective remedies. The discussion considered, in particular, how national legislation, executive action, litigation challenging immunity, and advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice affect this relationship.
Other topics included the ability of international organizations to operate during armed conflict, human rights concerns, and the adequacy of internal remedies. Participants examined recent case law, differing views on the relationship between immunity and accountability, and potential new approaches.
The speakers were Kristina Daugirdas (University of Michigan Law School), Mary Catherine Malin (former Assistant Legal Adviser for Diplomatic Law and Deputy Legal Adviser at the US Department of State), Michael Moffatt (International Court of Justice), Vikram Raghavan (World Bank), and August Reinisch (University of Vienna; member and Special Rapporteur of the United Nations International Law Commission).
The panel combined academic perspectives with experience from institutional and diplomatic practice, providing a forum for discussing future approaches to the immunity and accountability of international organizations.
