The objectives of the International Law Association are “the study, clarification and development of international law, both public and private, and the furtherance of international understanding and respect for international law.” The core method to achieve these goals is the establishment of International Committees, Study Groups and Interest Groups. The International Committees are composed of international law practitioners and scholars nominated by the National Branches of the Association. The Committees have a clearly defined mandate, approved by the ILA Executive Council, and work towards the adoption at biennial conferences, such as the ASIL Annual Meeting/ICA Biennial Conference, of concrete outcomes in the form of recommendations, draft conventions, draft articles, guidelines or model rules. Committees, Study Groups and Interest Groups met in Open Working Sessions where their reports were discussed. The meetings were open to all participants of the conference. Several Committees and Study Groups finalized their mandate at this conference in Washington and will propose concrete outcomes in draft Resolutions.

WilmerHale Partner Rachael Kent was a featured speaker at this conference and spoke on the panel entitled, "The Idea of Effective International Law."