On 14 and 15 March, 30 top legal advisors from NATO and the Ministries of Defence and the Armed Forces of NATO and PfP countries gathered in Geneva for the third time, on the occasion of the 2019 Symposium for Senior NATO/PfP Legal Advisors, organised by the Security and Law at the GCSP. The 3rd edition of the Symposium was devoted to ‘Legal Challenges 70 Years After the Washington Treaty’ and was led by Tobias Vestner, Head of the Security and Law Programme at the GCSP, and Steven Hill, Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs at NATO. Participants and speakers included: Mr Stephen D. Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations; Monte De Boer, Allied Command Transformation Legal Adviser, NATO; Col Charles Hebner, International Military Staff Legal Advisor, NATO; Mr John B. Bellinger III, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; and Prof Ashley S. Deeks, Professor of Law, University of Virginia. Chief lawyers of France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Switzerland, Ukraine and other states attended the Symposium.

A keynote speech was delivered by Adm Giuseppe De Giorgi, former Chief of the Italian Navy and Commander of the Italian Operation Mare Nostrum. The official dinner took place in the fascinating setting of Kempinski Hotel, on the shores of Lake Leman, giving participants the opportunity to keep exchanging views in a relaxed context.

For the third year, the SSL developed according to its established format, based on thematic sessions introduced by kick-off briefings from a participant or guest speaker and followed by informal peer debates. This has been very appreciated for discussing common challenges, sharing insights and best practices, and deliberating novel approaches and solutions through collaboration and common undertakings.

The SSL is designed to offer a collegial venue for an impartial and frank exchange. It remains committed to its main goal: the clarification of legal complexities while strengthening personal contacts among Chief Lawyers, with the final aim of enhancing collaboration among legal services.