Page 74 - NYAA GAHA 30th Anniversary "Service Beyond Gold"

Natalie Yu-Lin Morris-Sharma

Senior Director / Senior State Counsel

International Affairs Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
NYAA Gold Award Holder (2002 Cohort)

Natalie Yu-Lin Morris-Sharma is an internationally spearheaded a team that worked on international
respected lawyer, diplomat, and mentor whose legal policy issues, including human rights, sanctions,
career reflects over 18 years of leadership in public and transnational crime and, with others, led the
international law and diplomacy. As Senior Director organisation of the landmark Singapore Convention
and Senior State Counsel at the International Affairs on Mediation Signing Ceremony (2019) attended by
Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), over 1,500 delegates from 70 countries.
she advises the Singapore Government on complex
issues in international organisations law, human Her contributions have been recognised with
rights, health, oceans, and environmental law, while numerous accolades, including the Singapore Public
representing the nation at the highest levels of global Administration Medal (Bronze, 2017), the American
negotiation. Bar Lawyer as Problem Solver Award (2020), and she
has been a part of teams that were conferred the
Natalie has played a pivotal role in advancing Singapore President’s Certificate of Commendation
Singapore’s standing in international law. She served (2018 & 2019).
as Counsellor (Legal) at Singapore’s Permanent
Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she Beyond her professional role, Natalie is committed
advised on all legal matters under the UN’s purview to nurturing the next generation of legal and
and facilitated various international meetings and policy leaders. Amongst others, she has served as a
outcome documents. A distinguished leader in Distinguished Visiting Global Scholar at the Centre
multilateral fora, Natalie has held prominent bureau for International Law (NUS), an Academic Visitor at
positions: Chairperson of UNCITRAL Working Group the University of Oxford, and actively contributes
II, which developed the Singapore Convention as part of the leadership of the American Society
on Mediation; Vice-Chairperson of the UNCITRAL for International Law. Her mentorship and teaching
Commission; Rapporteur of UNCITRAL Working continue to shape young lawyers in Singapore and
Group III on investor-state dispute settlement abroad.
reform; and Coordinator of the UN General Assembly
resolution on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. She led Through her legal expertise, diplomatic service, and
Singapore’s legal team in negotiations for the World commitment to youth development, Natalie Yu-
Health Organisation’s Pandemic Accord. She has led Lin Morris-Sharma exemplifies the GAHA ethos of
Singapore’s delegation in the negotiation of critical ‘Service Beyond Gold’: uplifting Singapore’s voice
agreements with and before international tribunals globally while inspiring future leaders to serve with
and organisations, as well as bilateral and regional excellence and integrity.
partners.

Natalie is no stranger to policy work either. When she
moved to work in Singapore’s Ministry of Law, she

72 30 Years of Service and Leadership