Delivered by: Mr. Abdulla Al Ajeeli

Mr. President,

At the outset, we would like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Joan Donoghue for her distinguished service over the past fourteen years at the International Court of Justice, including her efforts as President since 2021. We also extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of former judges Nabil El Araby, Joe Verhoeven, and Vladlen Stepanovich Vereshchetin. Today, we welcome the new President of the Court, Judge Nawaf Salam, along with the newly elected judges this year. We wish them success in their efforts to uphold international law.

The diversity of issues and the wide geographic scope of cases brought before the Court highlight its universal and general character. With the Middle East currently experiencing one of the most severe crises in its modern history, marked by escalating bombings in the Gaza Strip and the expansion of the conflict into Lebanon, and with increasing violations of international law, it is essential to reaffirm the necessity of respecting and applying international law equally to all, without selectivity. For this reason, the UAE expresses its support for the work of the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations for the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in accordance with the principles of justice and international law.

This year, the Court has witnessed an exceptionally high level of activities, both in contentious cases and advisory opinions. My country believes that the advisory function of the Court has become more important than ever, particularly in these times of growing polarization, which impacts the application of international law. Given the continued injustice faced by the Palestinian people for more than seven decades and the grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the UAE participated in the advisory proceedings of the Court in 2023, concerning the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. We submitted a written statement and participated in the oral proceedings in February this year regarding this opinion. In March, we joined an unprecedented number of states in submitting written statements on the advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of states regarding climate change, and we look forward to the Court’s advisory opinion on this matter.

Advisory opinions hold high moral and legal value, as they contribute to clarifying and developing international law. For example, the Court’s advisory opinion on the Chagos Archipelago helped advance deadlocked negotiations.

In addition to its advisory jurisdiction, the contentious jurisdiction of the Court remains of prime importance. My country believes it is unacceptable to ignore the decisions issued by the highest judicial body of the United Nations—the International Court of Justice—including the provisional measures issued regarding the war in Gaza. We also appreciate the efforts of the Court in raising awareness of international law and expanding its scope through its publications and reports.

The UAE will continue to support the rule of law, respect for the UN Charter, sovereign equality, and territorial integrity, as these are fundamental principles contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security.

In conclusion, the role of the Court has become, today, more important than ever in the settlement of disputes among member states and the international community as a whole. The UAE remains firmly committed to supporting the principles of international law and upholding the values that underpin the international system.

Thank you, Mr. President.