Judge José Luis Jesus

Member of the Tribunal since 1 October 1999; re-elected as from 1 October 2008 and 1 October 2017; President of the Tribunal 2008–2011; President of the Seabed Disputes Chamber 2014-2017; Member of the Special Chamber formed to deal with the Dispute concerning delimitation of the maritime boundary between Mauritius and Maldives in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius/Maldives)

Born: Vila da Ribeira Grande – Santo Antão, Cabo Verde, 20 September 1950.

Education: Law Degree, School of Law, Classical University of Lisbon (1978); International Law Certificate, Saint John's University, New York (1985); M.A., Government and Politics, Saint John's University, New York (1985).

Professional Experience: Delegate and Head of Cabo Verde delegation to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (1979–1982); Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (1979–1994); Counsellor (Legal Adviser) (1981–1987), Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde (1987–1991), Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to the United Nations in New York (1991–1994); Chairman, Group of 77 for the Law of the Sea (1986); Chairman, Group of African States at the United Nations (1986); Head of the Cabo Verde delegation to United Nations Conference on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations, Vienna (1986); Chairman, Preparatory Commission for the International Seabed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (1987–1995); President, United Nations Security Council (July 1992 and November 1993); Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Great Lakes Region, Central Africa (1994); Ambassador of Cabo Verde to Portugal, Spain and Israel (1994–1996); Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (1996–1998); Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities (1998–1999); Chairman, National Commission on the Delimitation of Maritime Boundaries, Cabo Verde; Legal Consultant for technical assistance in the drafting of fisheries legislation, FAO; Lecturer at several seminars and conferences on the law of the sea, international dispute settlement, humanitarian law and international relations.

Member: Cabo Verde Bar Association.

Publications: Author of publications in the fields of the law of the sea, ITLOS proceedings and humanitarian law and extradition.