19. Codification, Progressive Development or Innovation? Some Reflections on the ILC Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations

Abstract

The articles on the responsibility of international organizations represent an important milestone in the development of international law. This chapter reflects on the articles from the perspective of two lawyers (Sir Ian Brownlie, and Philippe Sands) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who have closely followed the Commission's work in developing the articles. The chapter describes the purposes and functions of the IMF. It discusses some of the key features of the Commission's articles. While the views expressed in the chapter are those of its authors alone, they draw in some areas on the comments provided by IMF staff members at the various stages of the Commission's work on the articles. The International Law Commission (ILC)'s work on the responsibility of international organizations followed as a logical step after the successful completion of the Commission's work on State responsibility in 2001. Keywords: international law commission (ILC); international monetary fund (IMF); Philippe Sands; Sir Ian Brownlie; State responsibility