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International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Yuji Iwasawa has said that the court’s caseload remains at a record level, with 24 cases involving disputes between different countries currently under consideration.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Yuji Iwasawa has said that the court’s caseload remains at a record level, with 24 cases involving disputes between different countries currently under consideration. He explained that disputes between member states concern a wide range of legal issues, including land and maritime boundaries, border demarcation, human rights, economic relations, legal immunity, and the interpretation and application of treaties covering various subjects.
Briefing the United Nations General Assembly on the court’s annual report, Iwasawa said that since August 1, 2025, the court had held hearings in five cases, delivered one judgment concerning intervention, and issued two advisory opinions. It had also issued one order on a request for provisional measures and another order concerning the admissibility of counterclaims. The court is currently conducting detailed legal examinations of two cases. These include a case brought by Nicaragua against Germany over alleged violations of certain international obligations relating to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The ICJ president also provided the General Assembly with a brief overview of the court’s judgments, advisory opinions and major orders. One of the advisory opinions concluded that workers’ right to strike is protected under the 1948 Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, also known as Convention No. 87.
Yuji Iwasawa also referred to a report he had prepared last year in connection with an advisory opinion issued by the court in October. That opinion concerned Israel’s obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations and member states in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Iwasawa also mentioned various events being organised this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the court’s first session. On this occasion, he highlighted the alumni association of the Judicial Fellowship Programme launched by the court. Under this programme, 15 to 16 talented young law graduates from universities around the world are given the opportunity to enhance their legal knowledge and professional skills at the court’s headquarters.
Addressing the General Assembly, its President, Khalilur Rahman, said that amid rising conflicts and declining mutual trust, the court provides parties with a path away from confrontation and towards legal settlement through independent and impartial judicial proceedings. He said the court clarifies rights and obligations, strengthens legal certainty and gives practical effect to the principle of the sovereign equality of states before the law.
Yuji Iwasawa outlined three key priorities for achieving this objective:
