The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Leiden University (The Hague, NL) | 21 February 2019

[Full programme, slides & details]

The Belt and Road Initiative, also known as ‘One Belt, One Road’ (“一带一路”; Yī dài Yī lù), is a People’s Republic of China (PRC) governmental initiative which chiefly draws inspiration from the ancient Silk Road (BRI). Often described as the largest matrix of infrastructure projects in the decades to come, the BRI’s professed aim is to strengthen international cooperation and growth through greater connectivity. The BRI comprises a myriad of projects to be implemented in the territories of 64 BRI participating states, in Northern Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The BRI’s impact is, and will likely remain for some time, an evolving subject: while, on one hand, the BRI has been addressed uncritically and even praised, on the other hand, skepticism over the BRI has also been raised, most notably in light of doubts over its long-term sustainability and potential debt issue.

This conference aims to provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities presented by the BRI from an interdisciplinary perspective, addressing both international politics and international relations aspects, and legal issues which might arise under the international law on tax, trade and dispute resolution.

This conference is a cooperation of two European Research Council (ERC) Projects: GLOBTAXGOV researching on “A New Model of Global Governance in International Tax Law Making” and TRICI-LAW researching on “The Rules of Interpretation of Customary International Law”. In addition, this conference is organized in cooperation with Diego Mejía-Lemos, from the National University of Singapore, and the LeidenAsiaCentre.

This conference is addressed to academics, including junior and senior researchers, government officials, business representatives, among others.

Interest to attend can be registered by sending an email providing complete name, email and current affiliation to   globtaxgov@law.leidenuniv.nl until 14 February 2019.

Registration is free. Spaces are limited.