Important role of International Court of Justice in handling disputes highlighted

VOV.VN - Vietnam joined with other countries at a plenary session of the 77th UN General Assembly on October 27 to share their view on the important role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in handling international disputes peacefully.

The court has made remarkable contributions to promoting the observance of the UN Charter and international law, as well as progressing sustainable development, peace, security, and stability in the world, they said.

Vietnam and several other countries, including Vanuatu, proposed the initiative of asking for the court’s consultancy regarding nations’ obligations when faced by the climate change issue.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, stressed that climate change poses a serious challenge to the international community and threatens the lives of people in coastal countries and small island nations.

Many response measures have already been taken, including making commitments to net zero carbon emissions, yet climate change has still been developing in a complicated manner, he said.

The Vietnamese diplomat therefore called for stronger actions in this regard, outlining that the responsibility and obligations of countries should be identified in accordance with relevant international conventions, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, makes up the main judicial organ of the UN. It was first established in June, 1945, by the Charter of the UN before beginning work in April, 1946.

The court’s role is primarily to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states in accordance with international law and to give advisory opinions regarding legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies. The court must also decide disputes between countries, based on the voluntary participation of the states concerned. If a state agrees to participate in a proceeding, then it is obligated to comply with the court’s decision.

The court consists of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

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