Mr. Adisak Tantivong, President of the Supreme Court, presided over the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Law Association General Assembly to exchange knowledge and set the direction for regional legal cooperation that aligns with the rapidly changing global context.
At 08:30 on 21 July 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel Bangkok, Mr. Adisak Tantivong, President of the Supreme Court, chaired the opening ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Law Association General Assembly, hosted by Thailand from 21 to 23 July 2026. The event brought together legal representatives, judges, academics, legal experts, and delegates from government and private sectors across ASEAN member states to exchange knowledge and set the direction for regional legal cooperation in line with the fast-evolving global environment.
This conference serves as a key platform to strengthen ASEAN legal cooperation. The Thai Office of the Judiciary, Arbitration Institute, Office of the Council of State, and other legal agencies co-hosted and drove the meeting, aiming to develop regional laws and justice processes that are efficient, transparent, and capable of meeting new international challenges. Key topics discussed included arbitration and law enforcement systems within ASEAN, promoting confidence in economic, trade, and investment sectors, women's labor rights, responsible business conduct, the net zero greenhouse gas emission goal, creative use of generative artificial intelligence in justice processes, and advancing legal education to prepare personnel for future changes.
In addition to the general assembly, important parallel activities included meetings of judges and practitioners in ASEAN intellectual property and bankruptcy law, as well as the ASEAN Moot Court competition final. The law students from Chulalongkorn University represented Thailand in the competition. Mr. Adisak Tantivong, along with Supreme Court presidents from ASEAN member countries, served as judges.
The conference featured representatives from ASEAN member states including host Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia participating online, along with Timor-Leste as an observer, reflecting strong and continuous regional legal cooperation.
Thailand's honor in hosting the ASEAN Law Association General Assembly again in 2026—the third time following 1986 and 2006—demonstrates the confidence ASEAN member states have in Thailand and underscores Thailand's role as the ASEAN legal cooperation hub. It reinforces Thailand's commitment to advancing the region's legal frameworks and justice processes to be modern, aligned with international standards, and supportive of sustainable future development.
