NSU’s SHSS Hosts Ninth Episode of Distinguished Webinar Series. North South University’s (NSU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) at North South University hosted the ninth episode of the NSU SHSS Distinguished Webinar Series, titled International Law for Diplomats, on 17 June 2026.
The webinar featured Mario J. A. Oyarzabal as the keynote speaker. Mario J. A. Oyarzabal serves as Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship of the Argentine Republic. He was also elected to the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2023–2027 term and was elected Chairperson of the Commission’s Drafting Committee in 2025.
The webinar was chaired by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University. The introductory remarks were delivered by Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. And Dr. Soumik Pal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Media, Communication, and Journalism, moderated the webinar.
Mario J. A. Oyarzabal praised Bangladesh for its outstanding contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions. He noted that, “in the context of international law, diplomacy serves as the foundation. Diplomats play a key role in engagement, negotiation, treaty-making, and the development of both bilateral and multilateral agreements.” He further emphasized that international law has its roots in diplomacy, with much of it being shaped within international organizations such as the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations International Law Commission, where diplomats serve as representatives of their respective states and in their personal capacity as international law experts, respectively. He emphasized the importance of international law for smaller states like Bangladesh.
NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury praised Oyarzabal for his detailed discussion. He noted that to ensure global stability, diplomacy and international law must work in close coordination. He further emphasized that this interconnectedness is essential for maintaining harmony and unity in the international system. He also said that there is no alternative to diplomacy in resolving conflicts and sustaining both national and international stability and harmony.
In his introductory speech, Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam emphasized the importance of diplomatic law being among the earliest expressions of international law. He mentioned that effective diplomacy can be the difference between war and peace. He observed that diplomats do not merely follow laws but also play an active role in shaping and creating them. In the end, a very engaging question-and-answer session was held with active participation from students, faculty members, legal practitioners, and other members of the audience from Bangladesh and overseas.