The ABILA Outstanding Achievement Award was established in 2021 to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of international law. Such contributions might include, but are not limited to, service to an international organization, a State, or an international court or tribunal; or to teaching, research and scholarship in the field of international law. While candidates are reviewed comprehensively, factors considered may include consideration of an individual’s specific extraordinary service initiatives and/or sustained superior contributions to the field of international law over a number of years, as well as visionary and innovative leadership.

Fatou Bensouda

The inaugural winner of the ABILA Outstanding Achievement Award is Fatou Bensouda, who served as the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court from 2011-2021. Mrs. Bensouda delivered a Keynote Address accepting the award at ILW 2021. You can watch her address online here.

The 2021 Award Committee was chaired by Jennifer Trahan, and included James Boykin, Matthew Kane, and Ashika Singh.