Judge Yusuf with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
Education
Docteur ès sciences politiques (International Law), Graduate Institute of International Studies, University of Geneva (1980).
Laurea di Dottore in Giurisprudenza (Dr. Juris), Faculty of Law, Somali National University (1973).
Certificate, Centre for Studies and Research in International Law, The Hague Academy of International Law, Netherlands (1974).
Postgraduate studies in International Law and Relations, University of Florence, Italy (1976-1977).
Honorary degrees
Docteur (Honoris Causa) Université Paris Nanterre I, France.
Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa), University College London, United Kingdom.
Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa), KIIT University, India.
Languages
English (fluent), French (fluent), Italian (fluent), Arabic (good knowledge) and Somali (mother tongue).
Professional affiliation
Member, Institut de droit international (IDI), Geneva (1999-).
Member, panel of Arbitrators of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Member of the Advisory Board, International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).
Founder and President of the Curatorium, African Institute of International Law, Arusha (Tanzania).
Founder and Honorary General Editor, African Yearbook of International Law.
Member, International Advisory Board, Eco-Forum Global (China).
Founding Member, African Association of International Law. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Permanent Court of Arbitration Financial Assistance Fund.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.
Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Asian Yearbook of International Law.
Founding Member, African Foundation for International Law.
Honorary Member American Society of International Law.
Honorary Professor Xiamen University, China.
Languages
Professional affiliation
English (fluent), French (fluent), Italian (fluent), Arabic (good knowledge) and Somali (mother tongue).
Member, Institut de droit international (IDI), Geneva (1999-).
Member, panel of Arbitrators of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Member of the Advisory Board, International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA).
Founder and President of the Curatorium, African Institute of International Law, Arusha (Tanzania).
Founder and Honorary General Editor, African Yearbook of International Law.
Member, International Advisory Board, Eco-Forum Global (China).
Founding Member, African Association of International Law.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Permanent Court of Arbitration Financial Assistance Fund.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.
Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Asian Yearbook of International Law.
Founding Member, African Foundation for International Law.
Honorary Member American Society of International Law.
Honorary Professor Xiamen University, China.
Past professional activities
Judge ad hoc, International Court of Justice, case concerning Certain Questions of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Djibouti v. France) (2007-2008). Presiding Arbitrator of Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and ICSID Arbitral Tribunals and President or Member of several ICSID Annulment Committees.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Legal Adviser and Director, Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs (March 2001January 2009).
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): Assistant Director General and Special Adviser on African Affairs (March 1998February 2001). Legal Adviser and Director of the Legal Services (August 1994March 1998).
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Representative and Head, New York Office (July 1992-July 1994). Senior Liaison Officer, United Nations Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, New York (July 1992-July 1994). Head, Legal Policies Section, Trade & Technology Programme, Geneva (July 1988-June 1992).
Academic positions and activities
Lecturer, International Law, Faculty of Law, Somali National University (19741980) and Chairman, Public Law Department (1976-1978).
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva (1981-1983).
Visiting Lecturer on Public International Law at universities and academic institutions including: University of Padova (Italy), 2025; University of Michigan Law School (USA), 2024; Cornell University (USA), 2024; International Law Center (Brazil), 2024; Harvard Law School (USA), 2022; Leiden University (The Netherlands), 2022; University of Florence (Italy), 2020, Xiamen Academy of International Law (China) 2019; University Paris Nanterre (France), 2019); IMO International Maritime Law Institute (Malta) 2019; Loyola University of Chicago (USA), 2017; University of Chicago (USA), 2017; Bocconi University Milan (Italy), 2016; United Nations Regional Courses in International Law, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 2011-2017; International Law Seminar for Arab States Cairo (Egypt), 2015; American University of Cairo (Egypt), 2015; Cambridge University (UK), 2015; Faculty of Law Trento University (Italy), 2013; The Hague Academy of International Law 2012 (The Netherlands); UNITAR Fellowship Programme in International Law 2011; Thessaloniki Institute of Public International Law and International Relations (Greece) 2004; The Hague; Academy of International Law (The Netherlands) (1987-1993); University of Siena (Italy); Graduate Institute of Development Studies,); International Development Law Institute, Geneva (Switzerland); University of Rome (Italy); University of Turin (Italy).
Experience in multilateral negotiation
(As Government Representative)
Adviser to multilateral negotiations and organs
(As International Official)
Somali representative to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (19751981).
Somali delegate to the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (1975 and 1976).
Member, Somali delegation to the Organization of African Unity Summit conference (1974).
Legal Adviser to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Committee and the World Heritage Committee (2001-2009).
Legal Adviser to the Executive Board and General Conference of UNESCO (2001-2009).
Legal Adviser to UNESCO negotiations on the following conventions: Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, International Convention against Doping in Sport, Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression (2001-2007).
Legal Adviser to the Industrial Development Board and General Conference of UNIDO (1994-1998).
Legal Adviser to the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Trieste, Italy) (1994-1997).
Expert Adviser at the United Nations negotiations on a Convention on Biological Diversity (1990-1991).
Expert Adviser and UNCTAD Representative at the GATT Uruguay Round Trade Negotiations on TRIPS (1989-1991).
Expert Adviser, UNCTAD negotiations on a Draft International Code of Conduct on the Transfer of Technology (1982-1985).