Ambassador and Permanent Representative Antonio M. Lagdameo with ICJ President Judge Nawaf Salam (center) along with ICJ Registrar Philippe Gautier (far left) and Deputy Permanent Representative Leila C. Lora-Santos and Prof. Roy S. Lee, Permanent Observer of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization at the event The World Court Today: Current Activities (CR06, 5 June 2024, United Nations Headquarters) (Photo Credit: NYPM).
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 5 APRIL 2024 — The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations and the Office of the Permanent Observer of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization co-hosted an event entitled “The World Court Today: Current Activities,” at the UN Headquarters.
The event featured the President of the International Court of Justice, H.E. Judge Nawaf Salam and its Registrar, H.E. Mr. Philippe Gautier, at the United Nations Headquarters.
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies
Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, opened the event.
“The Philippines is committed to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, shepherding the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which reiterates the Charter of the United Nations and spotlights the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations,” Ambassador Lagdameo said.
“The ‘World Court’ is a cornerstone of the international legal order. The Court navigates a volatile era marked by the increasing importance, complexity, and variety of subject matter of the cases brought before it,” Ambassador Lagdameo further said.
Judge Nawaf Salam delivered remarks on the ICJ’s current activities, noting the unprecedented level of judicial activities of the Court. He also underscored the universal reach of the ICJ as the
‘World Court.’
Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the ICJ, discussed the Court’s budget and financial requirements to support its growing workload. He also noted that as of 2024, 127 States are involved in cases pending before the Court. He emphasized that more than half of the Court’s docket have been brought in the last 25 years and that as of 01 May 2024, there are 24 cases pending, three of which arise from requests for advisory opinions. The Programme Budget of the Court for 2025 seeks an increase to support its growing caseload.
Ambassador Lagdameo also stressed that the Court’s ability to discharge its mandate rests on the collective support of Member States.
Prof. Roy S. Lee, Permanent Observer of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Office, moderated the event and the dialogue between the Court and the participants. Member States expressed appreciation for the work of the Court and many reaffirmed their commitment to support additional resources for the Court. END