President Salam congratulated the newly elected Chair, Mr. Marcelo Vázquez-Bermúdez, and other officers, and apologized for the postponements of the meeting due to the ICJ's busy schedule.
Salam provided updates on the cases submitted to the ICJ over the past year and the decisions rendered since the previous address in July 2023. He emphasized the importance of the annual exchange of views between the ICJ and the International Law Commission (ILC).
ICJ's Current Docket
1. Current Cases: The ICJ has 24 cases on its docket, 21 of which are contentious and three are advisory proceedings.
These cases involve diverse legal issues such as land and maritime delimitation, state immunities, and breaches of international conventions.
2. New Cases: Since July 2023, five new contentious cases from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe have been added, along with a request for an advisory opinion from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Recent Judgments and Orders
- Nicaragua v. Colombia: On July 13, 2023, the ICJ delivered a judgment on the delimitation of the continental shelf between Nicaragua and Colombia.
The Court concluded that Nicaragua's entitlement to a continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles did not extend within 200 nautical miles of Colombia’s baselines.
- Ukraine v. Russian Federation: On January 31, 2024, the Court issued a judgment regarding Ukraine's claims under the ICSFT and CERD.
The Court found that Russia had violated its obligation to investigate terrorism financing allegations but had not violated other obligations under ICSFT. Under CERD, the Court found Russia's conduct concerning school education in Crimea violated the convention.
- Genocide Convention Case: On February 2, 2024, the Court ruled on preliminary objections in the case concerning allegations of genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation). The Court found it had jurisdiction over Ukraine's request for a declaration of non-genocide but not over the use of force claims.
2. Significant Orders:
- Provisional Measures: The Court issued numerous orders on provisional measures in various cases, emphasizing the importance of this expedited procedure for offering interim relief to parties in urgent situations.
Advisory Opinions
1. Occupied Palestinian Territory and Climate Change : Two advisory opinions were requested by the General Assembly on these topics, highlighting ongoing international legal issues.
2. Right to Strike: The ILO requested an advisory opinion on the right to strike under ILO Convention No. 87.
Conclusion
President Salam concluded by stressing the collaborative relationship between the ICJ and ILC, and the mutual benefits of their annual exchanges.
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