UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the global community to prioritize a future governed by the rule of law rather than raw power during the 80th anniversary celebration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the Netherlands. Guterres emphasized the significance of upholding international law, especially in a time of evolving power dynamics and visible violations of such laws. He cautioned that neglecting international law could jeopardize global stability, leading to a dangerous shift towards the rule of force over the force of law.
Iwasawa Yuji, the president of the ICJ, echoed Guterres’ concerns by highlighting the growing disengagement from international obligations, resistance to compliance, and skepticism towards multilateralism. He emphasized the court’s role in interpreting and applying international law rigorously to address these challenges. The ICJ, as the UN’s principal tribunal, plays a crucial role in maintaining global peace and security by facilitating peaceful resolutions to disputes among the 193 UN member states.
The ICJ, established in 1945 and headquartered in the Peace Palace in The Hague, convened a special session to mark the 80th anniversary of its founding. The event, graced by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and various international and Dutch dignitaries, underscored the court’s vital function in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and upholding the principles of international law.
