The Conference on Current Developments in Sea and Maritime Law, organized in collaboration with the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM) and the Maritime, Polar, Climate Law and Public Ombudsman Association (DEKAT) at Atılım University, was held on May 27, 2025, at the Orhan Zaim Conference Hall of Atılım University.

In the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Serkan Eryılmaz, Rector of Atılım University, emphasized the importance of the event in terms of knowledge sharing and cooperation in the field of maritime law. Atılım University Maritime, Polar, Climate Law and Public Ombudsman Association President Levent Taşkın highlighted the importance of raising awareness towards sea and maritime law among youth and supporting the activities conducted in this field. Niyazi Acar, Deputy Minister of Justice and Board Member of DEHUKAM, also addressed the students, offering advice on career goals in the field of maritime law and highlighted DEHUKAM’s activities in this domain.

The keynote speaker, Ambassador Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Board and Chief Advisor to the President, underlined the critical importance of maritime law for Türkiye’s national security and foreign policy, emphasizing DEHUKAM’s continued contributions to this field.

The conference proceeded with two separate presentations. In this context, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berat Lale Akkutay, faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, delivered a presentation titled “Aegean Sea Disputes and International Law,” in which she analyzed the legal issues in the Aegean Sea from an international law perspective. Akkutay defined key concepts such as continental shelf, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones, highlighting the significance of maritime law for regional cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali İbrahim Akkutay, DEHUKAM Senior Researcher and faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, delivered a presentation titled “Marine Spatial Planning Studies in Türkiye,” where he informed the audience about the ongoing spatial planning efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainable and effective use of maritime areas.

The conference concluded with a closing speech by Dr. Mustafa Başkara, CEO of DEHUKAM  Dr. Başkara stated that events like this, where current issues in maritime law are discussed, offer a significant roadmap for academic studies and policy makers alike.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the speakers who contributed to the organization of the conference and to all the participants who enriched the program with their keen interest.