Toespraak van Zijne Majesteit Koning Willem-Alexander tijdens het UNGA side event: International Court of Justice, New York
De toespraak is uitgesproken in het Engels.
A warm welcome to you all.
The international legal order is the basis on which friendly and lasting relations between states are built. The Hague is the place where global peace, justice and security are defended by the International Court of Justice and many other international organisations such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, established in The Hague in 1899, more than 100 years ago. Many Dutch citizens feel involved in their work. Earlier this month, 40.000 people participated in the Just Peace Festival, celebrating the U.N.-declared International Day of Peace.
Next spring, it will be seventy years ago that the International Court of Justice held its inaugural session at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
During the Second World War, the grounds of the Peace Palace were used by the occupying forces as a missile launch site and targeted in response. But the building survived the war intact and remained a place dedicated to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The International Court of Justice has been
remarkably successful in carrying out its remit. Since its first case in 1947,
it has handed down well over one hundred judgments. Even decisions considered
disappointing by one of the parties have eventually been complied with.
The geographical spread of the states that bring their cases to the Court
underscores its function as a true world court.
It is vital for the Court to keep up with
modern developments, including challenges in the field of technology. Many of
today's environmental disputes, for example, cannot be settled without highly
specialised knowledge.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands firmly believes that the peaceful settlement of
disputes is vital to ensure a more just and secure world. So we encourage states
to recognise the ICJ's compulsory jurisdiction and settle their disputes
peacefully. This will be discussed by other speakers today.
As the host country of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, we have enshrined our commitment to the development of international legal order in our constitution. We are committed to being a partner for peace, justice and development. We are dedicated to the International Court of Justice as a mechanism par excellence to further the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Now let us celebrate the International Court of Justice as an indispensable jewel in the United Nations' crown.
Thank you.