On 4 December 2017, the Legal Counsel delivered keynote address at an event entitled “Reflections on 24 years of fighting impunity through international courts and tribunals” and organised by the Permanent Missions of Italy, the Netherlands and Uruguay to the United Nations, which commemorated the work of the ICTY.

In his remarks, Mr. Serpa Soares highlighted the cooperation between the principal organs of the United Nations that permitted the establishment of a unique institution, which has been fundamental and instrumental to the development of contemporary international criminal justice. The Legal Counsel stressed that the establishment of the ICTY in 1993 recognised the existence of a close link between international criminal justice and the purposes of the United Nations, as well as with the maintenance of international peace and security. The event, moderated by the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Stephen Mathias, counted also with the participation of H.E. Mr. Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Elbio Rosselli, Security Council Chair of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, H.E. Mr. Karel van Oosterom, Permanent Representative of The Netherlands to the United Nations, Judge Carmel Agius, ICTY President, Mr. Serge Brammertz, ICTY/MICT Prosecutor, Mr. John Hocking, ICTY Registrar as well as several participants from delegations, civil society and academia