The scholar Georgy Suvorov presents the results of his research

On 20 June 2025, Georgy Suvorov presented the results of his research in person in the ICLRC library.

Georgy is a participant of the Scholarship for Young International Law Researchers. He is working on a study “Sea Level Rise: International Legal Aspects.”

Sea level rise (marine transgression) is one of the most acute and legally significant manifestations of global climate change. The issue is currently the subject of active discussion within the International Law Commission, the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly, and other international forums. However, concrete legal solutions have yet to be developed, and Russia has not yet formulated a clear position.

The rising level of the world’s oceans raises a number of complex questions and challenges that contemporary international law must address. This research takes a comprehensive approach to the problem, examining legal regulation across multiple domains. In addition to the core issues of the law of the sea and statehood addressed by the author at the previous event (March 2025), the following aspects are explored:

Spatial aspect: Does the doctrine of fundamental change of circumstances apply to sea level rise? Does the exception to the rebus sic stantibus doctrine concerning boundary treaties, as codified in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, extend to such cases? Can a judgment of the International Court of Justice on maritime delimitation be reconsidered based on newly arisen circumstances caused by sea level rise?

Economic aspect: What becomes of contracts for resource development on the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, concluded by coastal states with private parties, when those maritime zones are lost? How can the rights of investors be protected in such situations?

Socio-humanitarian aspect: What is the current state of international legal mechanisms for protecting individuals who are forced to leave their country of nationality as a result of marine transgression? What are the directions for improving this protection?

For each of these issues, the author outlines the contours of the existing legal framework, assesses its adequacy in light of emerging challenges and threats, and proposes avenues for its enhancement.