Sanctions 2024

Join experts to explore lessons from current sanctions regimes and key considerations for future sanctions policies.

Special event
9 October 2024 — 9:00AM TO 3:00PM
Chatham House
Different flags of many countries on sky background.

Lessons in sanctions design and enforcement

Against a backdrop of rapidly shifting geopolitics, sanctions have become a key instrument of foreign policy. At the same time, governments and businesses face widespread concerns about the efficacy, enforcement, unintended consequences, and legality of financial controls under domestic and international law, including human rights. This presents an opportunity for the public and private sector to work together to understand these challenges and develop ways to design and enforce sanctions more effectively.  

By examining learnings from cross-regional case studies, enforcement challenges and geopolitical considerations, a better consensus on sanctions policies can be achieved. Bringing together experts, jurists, diplomats, and private sector leaders for a half-day comparative analysis of sanctions regimes, this event will explore the impacts of these measures and considerations of when and how to apply them.  

Why attend?

  • Explore what lessons can be taken from current sanctions regimes to improve the outcomes of future policies.
  • Understand different approaches to sanctions enforcement and how better coordination on financial controls can be facilitated.
  • Hear from leading experts on the key geopolitical considerations for future sanctions-related decisions in a fractured world order.

This event is invite-only and is currently fully subscribed. Please register your interest to be added to the waitlist and receive communications about future versions of this event. All sessions will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

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The venue

Chatham House is a trusted forum for debate and independent analysis. Our conferences provide access to thought leadership, market insight and influential ideas by bringing together policymakers, world leaders, senior business executives and sector specialists.

Join us at our world-famous Grade II listed home in beautiful St James Square, London.

Agenda

Wednesday 9 October

Opening remarks | Sanctions today

What are the different types of sanctions? Who are the target countries, individuals and companies of sanctions today? What are the publicly stated goals of these policies?


Speakers
Chris Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow for Latin America, US and Americas Programme, Chatham House 

0900–0915

Sanctions in international law

Do sanctions have a basis in domestic and international law and what are their respective legal conditions? What legal questions should be considered by a state or international organization in adopting a sanctions policy? How might there be better cooperation among states on the criteria for imposing sanctions for breaches of international law and human rights?
 


Speakers
David Reed, Sanctions Director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Maya Lester, Barrister, Brick Court Chambers  
Andrew Hood, Associate Fellow, ILP, Chatham House
Chair: Rashmin Sagoo, Director, International Law Programme, Chatham House

0915–1015

Networking break

1015–1045

Lessons learned: Iran, Russia, Venezuela and Cuba

How broadly are sanctions applied by the international community? What are the effects of sanctions on the target economy and ruling coalition? How have sanctions impacted humanitarian support in these cases? Have sanctions created issues of alliance formation among target countries?


Speakers
Daniel Fried, Former US Ambassador to Poland  
Claire Clement, Director, International Law and Policy, British Red Cross  
Ricardo Herrero, Executive Director, Cuba Study Group  
Sanam Vakil, Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme
Carrie Filipetti, Former US Special Advisor for Venezuela
Chair: James Nixey, Director, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House

1045–1200

Networking lunch

1200–1300

Enforcement: Lessons from the United States and Europe

What are the differences and similarities in sanctions enforcement between the EU, US and UK? How is coordination in sanctions enforcement across governments changing and what are the current challenges? What are the difficulties facing businesses in understanding and following sanctions regulations, especially competing sanctions directives from the EU, US and UK?


How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions affected enforcement in the EU, US and UK? What is the best way to address continued challenges in sanctions enforcement coordination?  

Speakers
Eric Sandberg-Zakian, Partner, Covington and Burling LLP
David O’Sullivan, EU Sanctions Envoy, European Commission
Leslie Stubbs, International Sanctions Officer, Office of Foreign Assets Control 
Chair: Kimberly Gillingham, Head of Sanctions Strategy, Analysis and Legislation, Sanctions Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

1300–1400

In conversation: Geopolitical considerations for sanctions policies

What are the key geopolitical considerations for states in enforcing sanctions? How do coercive economic measures impact relations between countries and the wider world order? Is there a future for sanctions in an increasingly multipolar world?


Speakers
Daniel Drezner, Professor of International Politics, The Fletcher School at Tufts University
Ksenia Kirkham, Lecturer in Economic Warfare Education, King’s College London
Lee Jones, Professor of Political Economy and International Relations, School of Politics & International Relations, Queen Mary University of London
David Lorello, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
Chair: Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Programme, Chatham House

1400–1500

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