Secretary-General, at Exhibition Marking Seventieth Anniversary, Encourages States to Fully Accept International Court of Justice’s Compulsory Jurisdictions

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the opening of the exhibition to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice, in New York today:

I am pleased to be with you this evening.

Earlier this year, in April, I was honoured to visit The Hague to open the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome the Members of the Court to United Nations Headquarters New York.  The exhibition before us highlights the Court’s significance and many achievements.

The Charter of the United Nations requires Member States to resolve their disputes by peaceful means.  When diplomatic and political means fail, disputing parties need a legal solution, and the preeminent venue for seeking it is the International Court of Justice.

Respect for the rule of law within and among nations is one of the foundations of progress in virtually all areas of the work of the United Nations.  It is an essential thread in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Court plays an essential role.  The mandate of the Court is unique, in that it is unlimited in scope.  States may engage this universal legal mechanism for virtually any type of dispute.

Over my 10 years as Secretary-General, I have witnessed the growing confidence that States have in the Court’s ability to help them to resolve their differences.  And I have seen how States have benefited from the resolution of even their most sensitive disputes over their land and maritime borders.

The Court’s decisions bring clarity and stability to bilateral relationships and lift tension in conflict-torn regions.  They help States to close long-standing and damaging chapters in their common history and find a way to build trust and mutually beneficial partnerships.

I would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to address the representatives of States and their legal advisers assembled here for International Law Week to consider expanding their recognition of the Court’s jurisdiction.  This includes accepting the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court and withdrawing any reservations to their acceptance that they may have made.

The United Nations Charter pledges to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and establish conditions under which justice and respect for international obligations can be maintained.  The Court is central to this objective.  It merits our fullest support in word and in deed.

I hope the Court’s anniversary, and this exhibition, will prompt more States to accept its jurisdiction and make use of the important service it provides.