ICC: Special session of the Assembly on disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official – Opening plenary

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I call to order the special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Before continuing, I invite you to stand and observe a minute of silence dedicated to prayer Or meditation, particularly for the victims.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I would like to begin by noting that this session has been convened in very specific circumstances so that the Assembly can address a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter as part of its governance and oversight role of the International Criminal Court. I trust that I can count on your cooperation to ensure that the Assembly can address the matter in a way that fully respects the privacy and rights of the persons involved, as well as the Court as an institution. Before we address the substantive issues, I would like to provide some practical information. We must also take some procedural decisions to ensure the smooth Conduct of the assembly proceedings. Pursuant to the decision of the Bureau at its 18th meeting on 8th of July, 2026, delegations are seated in the English alphabetical order. Due to the limited capacity of the room, 2 seats have been allocated for each state party. Other delegates are invited to take the seats reserved at the back of the room. Seats are also reserved at the back of the room for observer states, as well as other observers, participants, and invitees, in accordance with Rules 92, 93, and 94 of the Rules of Procedure. NGOs are invited to take their seats in the gallery. Distinguished delegates, in accordance with Article 112, Paragraph 1 of the Rome Statute, States that are not parties to the Statute but have signed either the Statute or the Final Act of the Rome Conference may participate as observers in the Assembly. Observer states are allowed to participate in the public deliberations of the Assembly but may not participate in the taking of decisions. States that are not parties to the Rome Statute and that have not signed the Final Act the Statute do not have observer status. Under Rule 94 of the Rules of Procedure, the President may invite those states to be present during the work of the Assembly, subject to approval from the Assembly. I note that at its 16th meeting on 17 June 2026, the Bureau decided to recommend that the special session be held in private pursuant to Rule 42, paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of States Parties, in light of the exceptional circumstance of disciplinary proceedings against an elected official. For that reason, invitations to this session were not sent to States that are not parties to the Rome Statute and that have not signed the Final Act or the Rome Statute. In line with the recommendation of the Bureau, the programme of work for the special session provides for the plenary meetings to be held in private when the Assembly considers Agenda Item 7, disciplinary proceedings against an elected official. Decisions taken in the private segment of the plenary meeting would be announced in a public plenary at the end of this afternoon. Are there any objections to the Assembly holding its considerations of Agenda Item 7 in private, pursuant to Rule 42, paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, in light of the exceptional circumstance of disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official? No. In this regard, I would like to recall that the provisions of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the Court, and in particular Rule 26 ter regarding confidentiality— I would like to call on States Parties when making interventions during public meetings to take into account the fact that highly sensitive information has been made available to them as part of these confidential disciplinary proceedings. I do not see any objections to my proposals to hold the meeting concerning agenda item 7 in private. It is so decided. Distinguished delegates, Our next order of business is the adoption of the agenda for the special session of the Assembly of States Parties. The provisional agenda is contained in document ICC-ASP/S-2/1, and an annotated agenda is contained in document ICC-ASP/S-2/1-2.

Second.

Are there any objections to the Assembly adoption of the agenda as contained in document ICC-ASP/S-2/1? I see no requests for the floor. The agenda contained in document ICC-ASP/S-2/1 2/1 is adopted. Before we move to the next agenda item, I wish to indicate that the Delegation of Japan has nominated Ms. Hiromi Ohara for the position of rapporteur for the special session. Does the Assembly agree to appoint Ms. Hiromi Ohara of Japan as rapporteur for the special session?

Yes.

I see no objection. It is so decided. I congratulate Ms. O'Hara on her appointment as rapporteur and invite her for taking up this important function on behalf of the Assembly and invite her to take her seat at the podium. Thank you for accepting this.

Thank you.

Distinguished delegates, we shall now turn to Agenda Item 6, Organizational Work. The Bureau has considered the program of work as reflected in the ASP Journal of 17th of July, '26, and proposes that it serve as the basis of our work for this session. I propose that the Credentials Committee convene immediately Following the appointment of its members. Is there any objection to the assembly proceedings on this basis? I see no objection. It is so decided. The Assembly will now begin its consideration of Agenda Item 5. In accordance with Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure, a credentials committee consisting of representatives of 9 States Parties shall be appointed at the beginning of its session on the proposal of the President. After broad consultations with the States Parties, I propose that the Credentials Committee consist of the following States: Belize, Cyprus, France, Germany, Ghana, Senegal, Slovenia, And Ukraine. Is there any objection to the composition of the credentials committee? I do not see any objection. It is so decided. I wish to remind represent. I would like to remind the representatives that credentials shall be submitted to the Secretariat as soon as possible. The originals can be handed to any Secretariat staff member. Copies should be sent to the Secretariat mail. As we have very limited time for this session, I request the Credentials Committee to convene immediately in the office behind this conference room. the office in the back of the room and also through the East Lounge that is just beside us. So I would invite the members of the Credential Committee to meet immediately. The Assembly will now turn to Agenda Item 4, States in areas. Based on information from the Court, 11 States Parties are currently subject to the loss of voting rights under Article 112, paragraph 8. I recall that the Assembly at its 24th session adopted Resolution ICC-ASP/24/RES3 on the procedure and criteria for the waiver of the loss of voting rights. Pursuant to that resolution, the Secretary-General had sent note verbals on January 28th and June 18th, 2026, to all concerned states via their UN missions and their embassies in The Hague or Brussels, informing them of their arrears and the minimum payment required to avoid the application of Article 112, paragraph 8 of the Rome Statute. At its 18th session on 8th of July, 2006, the Bureau considered requests for waivers of the loss of voting rights which had been received by then from Chad, Liberia, Venezuela, and Vanuatu. In light of the exceptional circumstances surrounding the special session, the Bureau decided to recommend that the Assembly grant any requests for waivers of the loss of voting rights at the special session, while also undertaking to continue its review of waiver requests in respect of the 25th session of the Assembly. Additional waiver requests were then received from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Gabon, Grenada, and Suriname. Subsequently, Vanuatu and Grenada have made payments and recovered their voting rights and therefore do not require waivers to be granted by the Assembly. Are there any objections to the Assembly granting waivers of the loss of voting rights to the States Parties that have Submitted requests. I do not see any objections. It is so decided. Distinguished delegates, we will shortly commence. I see. I see Grenada requesting for the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Just to indicate that Grenada did make payment in full, so the waiver would not be required. Thank you kindly.

Thank you. Thank you very much, and I congratulate you for fulfilling this payment obligation and thus no more being in arrears. Distinguished delegates, we will shortly commence our consideration of Agenda Item 7. As the Assembly has decided that the consideration of that item will be held in private for States Parties only, we will now take a short break of some 5 minutes in order for any other participants to leave the room. Observer States, NGOs, and all Other persons not representing a state party are requested to leave the room now.