India gets elected to the Governing Council of UNIDROIT with big support

In a historic victory for India's first woman candidate, Uma Sekhar was elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) with an impressive 45 votes out of 59 votes in the first round at the elections held in Rome, Italy.

To be elected to the Governing Council, 21 votes were required. India will be a member of the Governing Council for the period 2024-28.

The Governing Council consists of 25 positions which are held by distinguished legal experts.


In Thursday’s election there were 32 contestants in the fray including from USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and France among others.

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is an independent intergovernmental Organisation with its seat in Rome, Italy.

Its purpose is to study needs and methods for modernising, harmonising and co-ordinating private and in particular commercial law as between States and groups of States and to formulate uniform law instruments, principles and rules to achieve those objectives.