UN General Assembly Plenary Debate: Report of the International Court of Justice Statement
Statement by H.E. Mr. James Larsen, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
29 October 2026
Thank you, President.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia.
We thank the President of the Court, Judge Iwasawa, for his report on the Court’s work over the past year.
We would also like to acknowledge the recent election of Judge Okowa and the contribution of Judge Yusuf to international law throughout his term, including as President of the Court.
We thank the Members of the Court and its staff for their dedicated work and commitment to the institution.
I will make four key points today.
First, the Court helps States resolve disputes peacefully.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand believe that a safer world is governed by rules, not by power or force alone.
The Court is essential to that system.
We affirm the Court’s status as the only international court of a universal character and with general jurisdiction.
Our three countries strongly support the Court and its independence.
Second, the Court’s authority depends on States’ support.
Australia, Canada and New Zealand have accepted the Court’s compulsory jurisdiction because we recognise its central role in resolving disputes peacefully and upholding the rule of law.
We encourage States that have not yet done so to consider accepting the Court’s jurisdiction in accordance with its statute.
Broad support of the Court’s jurisdiction by Member States contributes to the efficient fulfilment of the Court’s primary role: the consideration of the substance of disputes.
Peaceful and timely dispute settlement benefits every State.
Third, States must respect and abide by the Court’s binding decisions, including orders for provisional measures.
Member States have undertaken to comply with the Court’s decisions in every case to which they are a party.
Compliance brings disputes to a final resolution and strengthens a judicial system that benefits all Member States.
Finally, the Court needs adequate resources.
The Court is being asked to consider more disputes, across an immense range of issues, as this year’s report outlines.
The continued willingness of many States to entrust the Court with their disputes reflects confidence in its independence and in its judges. But the Court’s resources have not kept pace with its unprecedented caseload.
We must ensure that the Court is allocated the funds it needs within the UN system to resolve disputes promptly and effectively.
Supporting the Court means supporting a system in which rules, not force alone, protect us all.
Thank you.