Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham, representing the Maldives before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday, presented oral submissions calling on the international community to support climate-vulnerable countries such as the Maldives.
This follows a resolution (Resolution No. 77/276) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at its 77th Session, entitled “Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change,” in which the UNGA decided to request the ICJ to render an Advisory Opinion pursuant to Article 65 of the Statute of the Court.
- The Court may give an advisory opinion on any legal question at the request of whatever body may be authorized by or in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations to make such a request.
— Article Article 65 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice.
- Questions upon which the advisory opinion of the Court is asked shall be laid before the Court by means of a written request containing an exact statement of the question upon which an opinion is required, and accompanied by all documents likely to throw light upon the question.
States and international organisations were pursuantly given an opportunity to take part in the public hearings of the proceedings and present oral submissions.
Usham, along with a team which included international lawyers appearing before the ICJ, presented oral submissions in the advisory proceedings entitled Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, where he urged the international community to support climate-vulnerable countries such as the Maldives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday.
The AG further highlighted the vulnerability of the Maldives to the impacts of climate change and reiterated the nation’s position against forced relocation due to climate change, the statement read.
The Maldives’ international lawyers focused their statements on the mandatory obligations arising under the climate treaty regime which mandate the provision of support for developing states, and the duty to cooperate under customary international law, the Ministry said, going on to highlight that they argued the international community has a duty to assist the people of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in adapting to a changed environment due to climate change.