UN Secretary-General urges future to be guided by rule of law

The Hague (ANTARA) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday (17/4) in The Hague, the Netherlands, called on the international community to choose a future governed by the rule of law, not arbitrariness.

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Guterres stated that violations of international law are happening right before our eyes.

“Compliance with international law is more important than ever precisely because the international system is under such great pressure, especially in this era of shifting power dynamics,” he said.

Guterres warned that weakening international law risks eroding the foundations of global stability. “When arbitrariness replaces the power of law, instability spreads widely,” Guterres cautioned.

Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, also voiced the same concerns, pointing to worrying signs of disregard for international obligations, increasing rejection of compliance, and growing scepticism towards multilateralism.

“The International Court of Justice responds to these challenges by carrying out its judicial function, namely by interpreting and applying international law strictly and in good faith,” said Yuji.

The ICJ, the highest court of the United Nations, is the only international court that settles disputes between the 193 UN member states. This means the ICJ makes an important contribution to global peace and security, providing a way for countries to resolve issues without resorting to conflict.

Established in 1945 and headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the ICJ held a solemn session on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its first session. The event was attended by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, along with senior international and Dutch officials.