THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds a solemn sitting to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its inaugural session

His Majesty the King. Please be seated. The solemn sitting is open. The Court meets this afternoon on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of its inaugural session. I welcome His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Her Excellency Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly; His Excellency Mr. Tom Berntsen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; and His Excellency Mr. Jamal Al-Louayy, President of the United Nations Security Council. I also welcome members of the diplomatic corps and the international judicial corps, representatives of the Dutch government and other Dutch institutions, the mayor of The Hague, Mr. Jan van Zanen, senior officials of international relations, and registry staff attending in the room and following online to this commemorative city. Excellencies, it is a great honor to address you on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the inaugural sitting of the International Court of Justice. The court was established in 1945 as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was created at the defining moment in history with the unshakable conviction that relations between states should be governed by law, not by force. Over the last 80 years, the international community has grown in size and diversity. International law has developed and expanded, and the questions that come before the Court are often more complex and different from those imagined in 1945. And yet, the need for peaceful means to resolve disputes between states on the basis of law. The Court has contributed significantly to this mission. Its jurisprudence has evolved, an increasing number of states have accepted its jurisdiction, and its work has helped to clarify and strengthen international law. The past 80 years have exhibited a meaningful record of achievement. It is a record not of headlines, but of steady and principled work, reflecting the care of the judges, the dedication of the registry, and the trust placed in the Court by states and international organizations. Excellencies, this is, however, not a moment for complacency. It is a moment for vigilance. There are troubling signs of disengagement from international obligations, growing resistance to compliance, and increasing skepticism about the value of multilateralism. In some cases, The rule of law itself has been openly questioned. These trends place great pressure on the system we serve and remind us that the international rule of law cannot be taken for granted. It must be chosen, reaffirmed and defended. Our continued commitment and collective resolve to uphold it are indispensable. The Court responds to these challenges by carrying out its judicial function, by interpreting and applying international law rigorously and in good faith. At the heart of its mission lies the principle of equality. All States, large and small, stand before the Court on an equal footing. In this Great Hall of Justice, equality is not mere aspiration, but a reality. In each case, the Court respects the consent of states and ensures procedural fairness. This is what gives the institution its legitimacy and enduring strength. Even when the Court's decisions do not fully resolve an underlying dispute, they remain important. They clarify the legal situation, reduce uncertainty and give States a common basis on which to engage with one another. In this way, the decisions of the Court assist States in managing their differences, maintaining dialogue and seeking solutions through peaceful means. However, as a court of law, the Court can do no more than decide the questions before it in accordance with its judicial function. Many disputes brought before the Court extend beyond legal questions. While international law provides an essential framework for clarifying rights and obligations, It cannot on its own resolve every problem. Lasting solutions require more than legal answers. They require cooperation and the will to act. The law can show the path, but states must choose to follow it. The strength of the international legal system does not rest primarily on the Court, States retain the central role. The rule of law depends on a shared commitment by states to respect agreements and to turn to the law when differences arise. Excellencies, today's 80th anniversary should be an occasion to renew our commitment to international law. The rule of law is not a condition that can be achieved once and for all. It is a continuous endeavor that must be maintained and strengthened over time. As the court embarks on its tasks that lie before it, it remains committed to its role. It will continue to offer a fair and impartial forum for the peaceful settlement of disputes. It will continue to provide guidance on international law, and it will continue to support a stable and predictable legal order. The rule of law will endure only if we choose to uphold it consistently and collectively in the service of peace and justice. Thank you. We will now have the pleasure of enjoying the first of several short performances by the musicians of the School of Young Talent of the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. I now have the honor to invite the Secretary General of the United Nations to take the floor. Please.

Your Majesty, Mr. President, and distinguished judges, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Moments of crisis are moments of choice. They reveal who we are and what we stand for. Today we come together in the quiet dignity of a city that is synonymous with justice and international law. But it is easy to forget the world of 80 years ago. Europe and far beyond lay in ruins. The Hague itself was scared and shaken. And yet, In the dark and difficult moment, world leaders made a defining choice. A choice to reject a future ruled by coercion and violence, and to embrace a future rooted in the United Nations Charter and international law. A choice to build a court founded on one overriding conviction: the force of law must always prevail over the law of force. In doing so, They did more than create the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. They laid down a cornerstone of a more peaceful world.

Excellencies, As the President of the General Assembly, Paul-Henri Spaak, said at the inaugural sitting of this Court 80 years ago, there could be no civilized world, nor any lasting peace, if there be not complete and absolute respect for the International Court and its judgments. Over eight decades, the judgments and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice have shaped the modern world. The docket of the Court has never been fuller, a clear sign of trust in its authority and independence. The increased number of women on the bench is further strengthening the court's legitimacy, a sign of progress that needs to continue. And the court's modernization of working methods is enhancing effectiveness and resilience. To the judges and to the entire staff of the court and its registry, I extend my profound gratitude. The Court continues to be a guarantor that sovereignty and equality are not mere words on paper. The Court is also a reminder that even overwhelming strength cannot and must not replace legal obligation.

We must be unequivocal. The Court's decisions, including provisional measures, are binding on the parties to a case. Respect for those decisions is not optional. It is a Charter obligation. Yet today, violations of international law are unfolding before our eyes. Military operations trample the basic rules that govern conflict. Humanitarian obligations are ignored. The rules of international law that protect the United Nations itself are violated. the institutions created to provide justice, these one and others, are increasingly questioned and challenged. And this erosion is not happening at the margins of the international system. It is happening at its core, including by states entrusted with unique responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. When the law of force replaces the force of law, Instability becomes contagious. Conflicts spill across borders. Economic shocks reverberate around the world. And the most vulnerable always suffer first and suffer most. Excellencies, today we face our own moment of crisis and our own moment of choice. A choice between a future governed by the rule of law or a future driven by raw power. The choice is clear. It is precisely because the international system is under such strain that adherence to international law matters more than ever. Without that foundation, the risk of chaos will grow, as history has shown. International law gives states certainty of a common language and the predictability of a common framework to resolve differences peacefully. To weaken it is to erode the foundations of global stability. To strengthen it is to invest in a world governed by justice, not fear. Let us choose to strengthen it. Let us recommit to the peaceful settlement of disputes, to respect the judgments of the Court, and follow through on the Court's advisory opinions. and to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter that bind us together as a community of nations. In this moment of crisis, that is the only right choice. Let us have the courage to make it, and I thank you.

I thank the Secretary-General for his words.

Music.

I now have the honor to invite the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations to take the floor.

Your Majesty, Honorable President of the International Court of Justice, Mr. Secretary General, Your Excellency, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, The Excellency President of the Security Council, Honourable Judges, Excellencies. What wonderful music to the young people here in the room, this is also your anniversary. French philosopher Albert Camus once said, "Peace is the only battle worth waging, but justice must guide it." These words speak to the role of justice in the history of our United Nations. While rarely spoken of, alongside the three main pillars, peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights, its primacy is evident. Justice is the outcome of sustainable development. It underpins lasting peace and security. and it guides human rights frameworks. When people believe in justice, they trust in public institutions, engage in society, and strengthen their communities. Indeed, it was this desire for justice that gave us the United Nations in the first place, an institution born of the injustices of the 20th century And for 80 years, it has been embodied right here in the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Normally, 80 years would be a big birthday party to celebrate. Yet, as I said at the opening of the 80th session of the General Assembly in September, these are unfortunately not ordinary times. Every week brings a new crisis. Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon. And beneath it all, a multilateral system not only tested at every turn, but straight up attacked. Some states are not even hiding it. So if this is not a moment for celebration, it is certainly a moment of recommitment. And the value of this Court is clear: it has helped to bring justice to those who have tried to evade it, as we have seen in the case of Belgium versus Senegal. It has provided legal certainty on unresolved issues and helped prevent escalation of conflicts through peaceful dispute settlement, as we saw in several decisions on maritime boundaries. As we all know, unfortunately, there is no glory in prevention. Yet, the impact of these cases has echoed across regions and societies, settling disputes, preventing conflicts and wars from even happening, and boosting security for so many. And this relevance is only growing as the Court takes on complex legal questions through its advisory opinions, which reflects the continued trust of member states in the Court And yes, I do recognize the workload with which it comes to it from the General Assembly. But we saw this power when the court was called upon just months ago to provide legal clarity on humanitarian responsibilities in the Gaza Strip. And we saw it also when the court recognized the existential threat posed by climate change. In that advisory opinion, resulting from a request by the General Assembly, but passionately supported by young people in small island developing states, the Court also opened another dimension of justice, intergenerational justice, underlining its capacity to evolve over time. And frankly speaking, for the first time, I saw the ICJ case to be on social media, celebrated by young people. And in this regard, as it is a time of reflection, I would like to highlight also part of justice that is, in my personal view, still overlooked: gender justice. Systematic discrimination against women was not included among peremptory norms identified by the International Law Commission in 2022. A view that is still sadly shared in legal circles today, with arguments that there are other more important and serious topics. Yet, if the UN is to represent all humanity, then all its different entities, including the courts, must reflect its full reality, including the fact that half of humanity are women and girls. And women's rights are the yardstick for freedom and justice within each society, based on our common foundation, the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all. This includes equal representation of women as and unfortunately, almost all UN bodies, we are not there yet. Only seven of the Court's 117 judges have been women, only two of the 28 presidents, the newest election, a female positioning again. And this is not enough yet, I must say. But, self-critically, It is better than either the role of the President of the General Assembly, in which I'm only the fifth woman out of 80 presidents, and it's definitely also better than in the position of the Secretary-General, which, as we know, didn't have a female Secretary-General for 80 years. But as the current Secretary-General said, in every, I would not say crisis, but momentum, we do have a choice to decide differently, and we start that in two days next week with the interactive dialogue for the next Secretary-General. Excellencies, international justice does not begin with filing, nor does it end with a judgment. It depends on credibility and trust. on the willingness of national system and international institutions, of politicians and journalists, of civil society and civil servants to uphold not only the letter of the law, but its spirit. If societies rise or fall on the presence of justice, then it's our responsibility to nurture it at every turn. So as we mark today the 80th anniversary, let us do more than reflect. Let us defend justice every day. For if peace, as Camus reminded us, is the only battle worth waging, then let us fight for justice to ensure that it is truly won for the future. I thank you.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for her remarks.

Foreign the foreign foreign the Oh. Oh. foreign.

I now have the honour to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands to take the floor.

Your Majesty, Mr. President, Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me take you back to the year in which the International Court of Justice was founded, 1946. On the 18th of April that year, this hall, with its beautiful stained glass windows, was packed with distinguished guests for the Court's inauguration ceremony. Among them were the Dutch Crown Princess, Juliana, and her husband, Prince Bernhard, the grandparents of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, who is with us here today. As the Court's first President, Jose Gustavo Guerrero, generously remarked on that occasion, their presence was a shining testimony of the desire for justice that drives through generations the Dutch nation. And indeed, we have a long-standing tradition of contributing to the development and promotion of international law. a tradition that stretches from the famous Mare Liberum by Hugo Grotius to our current role as host to numerous legal institutions. As the self-proclaimed city of peace and justice, The Hague plays a key role in the international administration of justice, and the Court is a crucial institution in this regard. Hosting the Court and many other international legal institutions here in The Hague comes with responsibilities. For the Netherlands, it is a permanent reminder to live up to our reputation and tradition. Noblesse oblige. This requires extra effort in a world in which international law continues to be tested and challenged. And yet, It was precisely for such circumstances that the generations who came before us and who lived through two devastating world wars created these institutions. Not for easy times, but for difficult times. International law is no guarantee of everlasting peace. We all know the challenges associated with enforcing compliance, but the fact that certain rules are challenged does not mean they cease to exist or lose their value. Around the world, we hear the calls for justice. These voices do not and will not go unheard. International law continues to function across numerous domains, from regulating trade and maritime transport to facilitating the peaceful settlement of disputes between states. An increasing number of states are turning to this Court, relying on it to resolve conflicts through legal means. These cases reflect the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, human rights violations, territorial demarcation and allegations of genocide. This underscores the Court's role as the highest judicial organ of the UN, working with authority professionalism and independence. And it highlights the enduring importance of international law underpinned by widespread global confidence in its application. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the stained glass windows in this great hall of justice in the Peace Palace portrays the goddess of war, Bellona, dying in the arms of the goddess of peace. be very helpful if I could point now to the glass. But that one. Thank you very much. For you. I knew that already. But... Unfortunately, it's not a reflection of current reality. Nor is it, I'm sorry to say, an accurate reflection of any point in time in the existence of this Court. But we must never see that as a failure of the Court. We must see it as a reflection of our own responsibility as an international community, the responsibility to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained. As some of you will know, this was a direct quote from the preamble of the UN Charter. And like the Charter, this stained glass window remains a powerful expression of this Court's aspiration, of our collective aspiration, for a world based on the rule of law, with respect for fundamental human rights, social progress and better standards of living. Each new judgment of the Court inflicts another blow on the goddess of war. Each new judgment brings the dream captured in the image one step closer: peace through law. So there is every reason to uphold and defend international law and the international legal order. And there is every reason to keep supporting the International Court of Justice. The Netherlands, alongside many partners, will always be firmly committed to that cause. We owe it to those who came before us, those who founded this Court and helped to shape it. We owe it to those living today, and we owe it to the future generations. Thank you.

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for his words.

Ben, yeah, yes, yes.

Foreign foreign Alu boya ma, besa guila Alu boya ma, hanaha lolo muso se se Besa guila Alu boya ma, besa guila Alu boya ma hanaha lolo muso se se Besa guila Alu boyama, besa guila Alu boyama, hanaha lolo muso se se Besa guila Aluboya ma, besa guila Alu boyama, hanaha lolo Águila, mucho se se besa Águila, mucho se se besa Águila, mucho se besa Águila, mucho se se besa Águilas, mucho se se besa Águila, mucho se se besas Águila, mucho se se besas Águila, mucho Águila, muchos se se besa Águila, muchos se se besa Águila, muchos se besa Águila, a lo voy a amá, besa Águila, a lo voy a amá, a lo lo, muchos se se besa Águila, a lo voy a amá, a besa Águila, a lo voy a amá, a lolo, muchos se se besa Águila, muchos se se bes Águila, muchos se se besa Águila, muchos se se besa Águila, muchos se foreign.

Foreign.

I now have the honor to invite the President of the Security Council of the United Nations to take the floor.

Your Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Your Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Your Excellency, Judge Yuji Iwasawa, President of the International Court of Justice. Your Excellency, Mr. Tom Pennington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Your Excellency, Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly. Excellencies, it's a privilege to address the distinguished gathering on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice. the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, to commemorate this important milestone in my role as a president of the United Nations Security Council. This anniversary offers an important opportunity not only to reflect on the Court's distinguished history, but also to reaffirm the enduring role of international law in advancing one of the central purposes of the United Nations, namely the peaceful settlement of disputes between states. In upholding the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the establishment of the International Court of Justice in 1945 marked a defining moment in the development of international legal institutions. It represented the culmination of the decades of effort by the international community to institutionalize a standing forum for the peaceful settlement of disputes between states. In this regard, the Court succeeded the Permanent Court of International Justice established by the League of Nations in 1920. With the creation of the United Nations at the end of the Second World War, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law by establishing a judicial organ within the United Nations. Under Article 92 of the Charter, the International Court of Justice was designated as the principal judicial organ of the Organization. Since it began its work in 1946, the Court seated here in the Peace Palace in The Hague has served as the principal judicial forum for the peaceful settlement of disputes between states. From the perspective of the Council, it is important to note that over the past eight decades, The Court jurisprudence has contributed significantly to the peaceful settlement of disputes between States. By providing a forum grounded in law where a State can bring cases under the principle of State consent, the Court has helped resolve disagreements that might otherwise have escalated. The election of the Court's judges by both the General Assembly and the Security Council, acting independently but concurrently, reflect the collective responsibility of Member States to ensure that the Court is composed of jurists of the highest standing, representing the main forms of civilisations and the principal legal systems of the world. While the Council bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of the international peace and security, the Court may contribute to this objective by promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes through judicial means, as reflected in Article 33 of the Charter. This is an important educative. role of the Court is reaffirmed in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2788, unanimously adopted by the Council in July 2025. As we commemorate this milestone, we also recognize the continued confidence of the state in the Court, reflected in its growing docket and the increasing reliance on judicial settlement as a means of resolving dispute peacefully and in accordance with international law. Finally, we also note the positive contribution of the Judicial Fellowship Program established by the Court in 1999 in empowering generation of talented lawyers in the area of public international law. On behalf of the Security Council, I wish to commend the Court, its judges and its registry for their dedication and service to the international community, and I thank you.

I thank the President of the Security Council for his remarks.

There's a place for us Somewhere a place for us for us. There's a time for us. Someday a time for us. Time together and time to spare Time to learn, time to care Someday, somewhere We'll find a new way of will find a way of forgiving Somewhere, somewhere There's a place for us for us Someday Time to gather and time to spare Time to learn, time to care Someday, somewhere We'll find a new way of living will find a way of forgiving. Somewhere. There's a place for us. A time and place for us. my hand and we're.

Distinguished guests, on behalf of the court, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants for their presence and contribution to this solemnity. This commemorative event has highlighted once again the vital importance of international law and of the Court which is entrusted with its application. I now declare the solemnity of the Court closed. I kindly request that all those present do not leave the courtroom until they are invited to do so. OK.