Public hearings to be held from Monday 2 to Friday 13 December 2024

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 302 2323 Fax: +31 (0)70 364 9928
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Press Release
Unofficial
No. 2024/72
8 November 2024
Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (Request for Advisory Opinion) Public hearings to be held from Monday 2 to Friday 13 December 2024
THE HAGUE, 8 November 2024. The International Court of Justice will hold public hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change from Monday 2 to Friday 13 December 2024 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court.
Ninety-eight States and twelve international organizations have expressed their intention to participate in the oral proceedings before the Court.
Schedule for the hearings
The schedule for the hearings adopted by the Court is as follows:
Monday 2 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.15 a.m.
Opening of the oral proceedings
10.15 a.m.-11.15 a.m.
Vanuatu and Melanesian Spearhead Group
11.15 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Break
11.30 a.m.-12 noon
South Africa
12 noon-12.30 p.m.
Albania
12.30 p.m.-1 p.m.
Germany
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Antigua and Barbuda
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Saudi Arabia
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Australia
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Bahamas
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Bangladesh
5.45 p.m.-6.15 p.m.
Barbados
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Tuesday 3 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Belize
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Bolivia
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Brazil
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Burkina Faso
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Cameroon
12.45 p.m.-1.15 p.m.
Philippines
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Canada
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Chile
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
China
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Colombia
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Commonwealth of Dominica
5.45 p.m.-6.15 p.m.
Korea (Republic of)
Wednesday 4 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Costa Rica
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Côte d’Ivoire
11 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (jointly)
11.45 a.m.-12 noon
Break
12 noon-12.30 p.m.
Egypt
12.30 p.m.-1 p.m.
El Salvador
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
United Arab Emirates
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Ecuador
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Spain
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
United States
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Russian Federation
5.45 p.m.-6.15 p.m.
Fiji
Thursday 5 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
France
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Gambia
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Ghana
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Grenada
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Guatemala
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Cook Islands
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Marshall Islands
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Solomon Islands
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
India
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
5.45 p.m.-6.15 p.m.
Indonesia
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Friday 6 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Jamaica
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Papua New Guinea
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Kenya
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Kiribati
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Kuwait
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Latvia
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Liechtenstein
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Malawi
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Maldives
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
African Union
Monday 9 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Mauritius
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Mexico
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Micronesia (Federated States of)
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Myanmar
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Namibia
12.45 p.m.-1.15 p.m.
Japan
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Nauru
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Nepal
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
New Zealand
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Palestine (State of)
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Pakistan
Tuesday 10 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Palau
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Panama
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Netherlands
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Peru
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Portugal
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Dominican Republic
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Romania
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
United Kingdom
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Saint Lucia
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Wednesday 11 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Samoa
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Senegal
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Seychelles
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Sierra Leone
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Singapore
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Slovenia
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Sudan
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Sri Lanka
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Switzerland
5.45 p.m.-6.15 p.m.
Serbia
Thursday 12 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Syria
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Thailand
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Timor-Leste
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Tonga
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Tuvalu
12.45 p.m.-1.15 p.m.
Comoros (Union of)
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
Uruguay
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Viet Nam
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Zambia
4.30 p.m.-4.45 p.m.
Break
4.45 p.m.-5.15 p.m.
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency
5.15 p.m.-5.45 p.m.
Alliance of Small Island States
Friday 13 December 2024
10 a.m.-10.30 a.m.
Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law
10.30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Pacific Community
11 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Pacific Islands Forum
11.30 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Break
11.45 a.m.-12.15 p.m.
Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
12.15 p.m.-12.45 p.m.
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
***
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m.
World Health Organization
3.30 p.m.-4 p.m.
European Union
4 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
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Members of the diplomatic corps from non-participating States, representatives of non-participating international organizations, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the public and the media will find below practical information regarding the organization of the hearings.
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A. Practical information and admission procedures
There will be no parking on the Peace Palace grounds.
1. Members of the diplomatic corps from non-participating States and representatives of non-participating international organizations
Due to the large number of States and international organizations participating in the hearings, it will not be possible to make seats available in the Great Hall of Justice for diplomats from non-participating States or representatives of non-participating international organizations.
From Monday 2 to Friday 6 December 2024, diplomats from non-participating States and representatives of non-participating international organizations will be able to follow the proceedings live on large screens in the Auditorium of The Hague Academy of International Law, on the Peace Palace premises.
This location will be unavailable, however, from Monday 9 December 2024 to Friday 13 December 2024. The hearings can be followed live in their entirety on the website of the Court and on UN Web TV.
Members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations who wish to follow the hearings in the Auditorium of The Hague Academy (during the week of 2 to 6 December only), are kindly requested to sign up online by 25 November 2024. Requests submitted after this deadline will not be considered. On presenting a confirmation of registration from the Information Department and valid diplomatic ID at the main gate of the Peace Palace on the day of the hearings they wish to attend, diplomats will be given a badge providing access to the Auditorium.
2. Representatives of NGOs
Five seats in the public gallery of the Great Hall of Justice will be reserved for representatives of certified NGOs at each session (i.e. morning or afternoon), for the entire duration of the hearings. The seats will be allocated on a rotating basis.
Representatives of NGOs who wish to register for these seats are kindly requested to sign up online by 25 November 2024. Requests submitted after this deadline will not be considered. On presenting a confirmation of registration from the Information Department for a specific session and valid ID at the main gate of the Peace Palace, representatives of NGOs will be given a badge providing access to the Great Hall of Justice.
3. Members of the public
Five seats in the public gallery of the Great Hall of Justice will be reserved for members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis at each session (i.e. morning or afternoon). There will be no
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advance registration procedure, and admission requests submitted beforehand will not be considered. Members of the public wishing to attend are requested to present themselves at the main gate of the Peace Palace at least 40 minutes before the start of the session they wish to attend. They will be given a badge providing access to the public gallery upon presentation of valid ID. The security officers at the gate will notify those concerned once all available seats have been filled.
4. Media representatives
Media representatives who wish to attend the hearings are kindly asked to request accreditation online by 25 November 2024. Requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. The accreditation process may be closed early if capacity is reached before the deadline. No requests received by phone or email will be accepted. Requests submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Representatives of the media will be accommodated in two press rooms on the ground floor of the Peace Palace.
Three seats on the balcony in the Great Hall of Justice will be reserved for members of the print media during each session (i.e. morning or afternoon). The seats will be allocated on a rotating basis. No laptops or recording devices will be permitted.
B. Further practical information for the media
1. Entry to the Peace Palace
Only duly accredited individuals with valid identification will be permitted to enter the Peace Palace grounds. Accredited media representatives must bring with them their personal ID and press card. They are asked to arrive at the Peace Palace gates no later than 30 minutes before the start of each hearing session (morning and afternoon). The press rooms will be open one and a half hours before the start of each session and will close one hour after they conclude. Media representatives accessing the public gallery will be accompanied by a member of the Information Department.
2. Access to the courtroom
A limited number of professional photographers and camera operators will be permitted to enter the courtroom for a few minutes before the start of each hearing session. They will be accompanied by members of the Information Department.
3. Press rooms
The hearings will be transmitted live in the two official languages of the Court, English and French, in two press rooms equipped with shared internet access (Wi-Fi and Ethernet). TV crews can connect to the Court’s PAL (HD and SD) and NTSC (SD) audiovisual system, and radio reporters to the audio system.
4. Multimedia
The hearings will be streamed live and on demand (VOD) in the two official languages of the Court, on the Court’s website, the section of the Journal of the United Nations dedicated to the ICJ and on UN Web TV. High-resolution video clips and still photos produced by the Registry during the hearings will be available free of charge and free of copyright for editorial, non-commercial use, on the Court’s website (to download, click on Multimedia) and its X feed (@CIJ_ICJ).
___________
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Procedure of the Court and history of the proceedings
The Registry has published an explanatory note on the Court’s website concerning the procedure followed by the ICJ with regard to requests for advisory opinions.
On 29 March 2023, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted resolution A/RES/77/276 in which, referring to Article 96 of the Charter of the United Nations and Article 65 of the Statute of the Court, it requested the Court to give an advisory opinion on the following questions:
“Having particular regard to the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the duty of due diligence, the rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment and the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment,
(a) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations;
(b) What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to:
(i) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change?
(ii) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?”
The request for an advisory opinion was transmitted to the Court by the Secretary-General of the United Nations by a letter dated 12 April 2023.
By an Order dated 20 April 2023, the President of the Court decided that the United Nations and its Member States were likely to be able to furnish information on the questions submitted to the Court for an advisory opinion. The Court subsequently authorized, at their request, the participation in the proceedings of the International Union for Conservation of Nature; the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law; the European Union; the African Union; the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States; the Melanesian Spearhead Group; the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency; the Pacific Community; the Pacific Islands Forum; the Alliance of Small Island States; the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office; and the World Health Organization. The Court also authorized the Cook Islands and the State of Palestine, which are not Member States of the United Nations, to participate in the proceedings.
Ninety-one written statements and sixty-three written comments were filed in the Registry by States and international organizations.
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Pursuant to Article 106 of the Rules of Court, the Court may decide to make the written statements, written comments and annexed documents accessible to the public on or after the opening of the oral proceedings in the case.
Earlier press releases relating to these proceedings are available on the website.
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Note: The Court’s press releases are prepared by its Registry for information purposes only and do not constitute official documents.
___________
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The Court has a twofold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States; and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system.
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Information Department:
Ms Monique Legerman, First Secretary of the Court, Head of Department: +31 (0)70 302 2336
Ms Joanne Moore, Information Officer: +31 (0)70 302 2337
Ms Anna Bonini, Associate Information Officer: +31 (0)70 302 2419
Email: [email protected]