Norway’s Rolf Einar Fife elected as member of the UN International Law Commission
Press release | Date: 12/11/2021 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Norway’s Ambassador to the European Union, Mr. Rolf Einar Fife, was today elected as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC). The election took place at the UN General Assembly in New York.
'I am delighted that Rolf Einar Fife is elected as a member of the International Law Commission. Fife’s legal experience, integrity and international law expertise will prove extremely valuable to the ILC in the years to come. Strengthening International Law and multilateral cooperation are important priorities for Norway', says Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt .
Fife is elected for the term 2023-2027. He was elected with 154 votes. The competition in the Western and others Group (WEOG) was tough, with 11 strong candidates for eight vacancies.
'I am very glad and proud to be elected as a member of the ILC today, and I look forward to contributing to its important task of codification and progressive development of international law in the upcoming term', says Fife.
The International Law Commission is the UN expert body responsible for the progressive development of international law and its codification. The members of the Commission are recognized experts within international law, and represent the most important legal systems in the world.
Fife was Legal Adviser and Director General of the Legal Department of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2002 and 2014. He has over many years proved to possess solid competences within international law.
Fife was the Nordic candidate to the ILC. There is tradition for a common Nordic candidate to the ILC. Norway has previously had two members of the Commission; Edvard Hambro (1972-1976) and Jens Evensen (1979-1984). Marja Lehto from Finland is currently a member of the Commission.