CLA News / Building Momentum for Environmental Justice by Steven Thiru, President, Commonwealth Lawyers Association
These closing remarks were delivered by CLA President Steven Thiru on 21 August 2026 at the LAWASIA Environmental Law Conference 2026 held from 19 to 21 August 2026, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
His Excellency Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae GCL, GCMG, KStJ, Governor General of Papua New Guinea,
The Hon Justice Antonio H Benjamin, Chief Justice of the National High Court of Brazil,
Justice Derek Wood, Justice of the Supreme and National Courts, and Judge Administrator, Resources, Environment and Climate Change Track, National Court, Papua New Guinea,
Mr Hubert Namani, President of the Papua New Guinea Law Society,
Dr Gordon Hughes, Deputy Chair of South Pacific Lawyers’ Association,
Mr Shyam Divan, Immediate Past President of LAWASIA,
Distinguished guests, esteemed delegates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Reflections and Gratitude
As we bring this gathering to a close, allow me to express my gratitude to LAWASIA, the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence, and the Papua New Guinea Law Society for organising such an exceptional event.
The depth of dialogue, the warmth of the hospitality in Port Moresby, and the sheer dedication of every participant here have made this Conference a resounding triumph.
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (‘CLA’) remains deeply committed to advancing environmental justice across our jurisdictions. Through our dedicated Climate Justice Committee, the CLA actively addresses pressing environmental issues, by pioneering efforts in climate litigation, safeguarding environmental defenders from strategic lawsuits against public participation (‘SLAPPs’), and advocating for sustainable urban law across Commonwealth nations.
Our work here is far from over, and the CLA stands ready to deepen our collaboration with LAWASIA, the South Pacific Lawyers’ Association, and all regional partners to transform our shared legal vision into durable action.
A Final Word on SLAPPs
Earlier in the programme, I had the privilege of presenting on the topic of institutions for the environmental rule of law. During that session, I shared compelling case studies and startling statistics illustrating a troubling trend: the rapid rise and expansion of cross-border SLAPPs designed to intimidate, silence, and financially exhaust those who dare to defend the environment.
Given our increasingly globalised economy, corporate actions and legal manoeuvres cross borders effortlessly, and our legal protections must do the same. While regional benchmarks such as the EU Directive (EU) 2024/1069 on protecting persons engaged in public participation from SLAPPs are commendable steps forward, local or regional measures alone are no longer enough. The time has come for us to boldly advocate for a comprehensive, international anti-SLAPP treaty to establish a unified, robust global framework that shields environmental defenders, journalists, and advocates wherever they operate.
I leave you with this call to action because the true test of this Conference lies in what happens next. When we return home, the onus falls on each of us, as advocates, jurists, and legal professionals, to press our respective governments for decisive action.
We must not only champion domestic statutory protections against abusive litigation, but also urge our nations to lead the charge for international legal reforms.
An Invitation to Continue the Conversation
As we depart Port Moresby, our collective work in climate governance continues. In that spirit of ongoing commitment, I am pleased to highlight a hybrid event taking place on 23 August 2026 as part of Singapore Convention Week 2026.
The CLA is hosting a session titled ‘Climate Disputes: Restorative Justice and Mediation for Durable Outcomes’, which will explore how alternative dispute resolution, restorative justice, and mediation can deliver sustainable, practical solutions to complex, multi-stakeholder climate conflicts.
Whether you are able to attend in person in Singapore or tune in online from anywhere in the world, I warmly invite each of you to join us. As 2026 marks Singapore’s Year of Climate Adaptation, this session offers a valuable opportunity to build on the momentum we have created together here.
Thank you once again to our generous hosts, co-organisers, speakers, and delegates for making the LAWASIA Environmental Law Conference 2026 such a landmark event. I wish you all safe travels home and look forward to our continued partnership.
Steven Thiru
President
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
21 August 2026
Steven Thiru records his appreciation to Jaishanker Sadananda and Chin Oy Sim for their assistance in preparing these remarks.
