Phoebe Okowa

Phoebe Nyawade Okowa is a Kenyan lawyer and Professor of Public International Law and Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London. In 2021 she was elected to the International Law Commission for a period of five years, starting January 1, 2023, becoming the first African woman to serve as a member of the Commission. In 2017 she was appointed a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague by Kenya. An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she has acted as counsel and consultant to governments and non-governmental organisations on questions of international law before domestic and international courts including the International Court of Justice.

The government of Kenya nominated Okowa for election to the UN International Law Commission in May 2021. She was co-nominated by the United Kingdom and endorsed by the African Union. Okowa received 162 votes in the United Nations General Assembly.

The International Law Commission (ILC) is a body of experts responsible for helping develop and codify international law. Under the ILC Statute, its members “shall be persons of recognised competence in international law”. It is composed of 34 individuals who are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a five year term. Provided by Wikipedia