(As delivered)
Statement by H. E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
on Agenda Item 70:
Report of the International Court of Justice
27 October 2016
Mr. President of the General Assembly,
Mr. President of the International Court of Justice,
Honorable Judges of the ICJ,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to begin by thanking Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the ICJ, for his dedication and leadership, as well as for the in-depth and comprehensive report of the work of the Court. I also express my deep appreciation and support for the achievements of the Court during the reporting period.
This year, the ICJ marks the seventieth anniversary of its inaugural sitting. Japan commends the ICJ for the important role it has played over the past 70 years in the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the promotion of the rule of law. As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ has delivered many important judgments and advisory opinions since its creation, taking on a diverse range of cases requiring complex legal examination. The Court is faced with an increasing demand for legal solutions and opinions on complex legal and factual questions. We believe that the devoted work and profound legal wisdom of the ICJ will continue to gain the respect and support of Member States.
The achievements of the Court over the last 7 decades clearly demonstrate that the work of the ICJ has strengthened the rule of law. The rule of law and peaceful settlement of international disputes is a fundamental principle of Japan’s foreign policy, based on our conviction that it provides the essential foundation for any society.
Japan shares the view expressed by President Abraham at the Seminar to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ICJ held last April in the Hague that “the political and legal environment in which the Court operates has changed considerably since 1945” and admires the Court’s commitment to “face the new challenges that might arise in the coming decade” also expressed in his speech.
At the same time, the international community today benefits not only from the ICJ, but also from remarkable development of various peaceful means of dispute settlements through other organs such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The current trend of States choosing an organ based on the specific legal issue is a welcome development towards an appropriate division of labor. We hope that judgments of these organs will collectively further develop and clarify international law.
Let me conclude by reaffirming our support for the work of the ICJ. We are confident in its professionalism and dedication to strengthening international law and the rule of law going forward.
I thank you, Mr. President
