SINGAPORE – The United Nations’ highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), will hold its election on Nov 3 to fill five of its seats.
This year’s contest consists of 10 candidates from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, with Singapore fielding a candidate for the first time.
Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee, 57, is Singapore’s candidate for the ICJ’s 15-member bench.
An international law practitioner, government legal adviser and diplomat, Lee has experience in areas including the law of the sea, climate and environmental law, international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Here is what to know about the ICJ and its election:
What is the ICJ?
Known as the world court, the ICJ in the Hague, Netherlands, plays a critical role in helping states resolve disputes through international law.
It was established by the founding charter of the United Nations in 1945 as the global body’s principal judicial organ, and marks the 80th anniversary of its inaugural sitting this year.
The court was set up mainly to provide nations with a legal way to resolve disputes, instead of resorting to war or violence. Over the years, it has heard cases on sovereignty, maritime and territorial boundaries as well as human rights violations, among other issues, from across the globe.
The UN’s 193 member states, and other states which accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction under specific conditions, can bring cases to the court. Besides adjudicating legal disputes, the court also issues advisory opinions on legal questions submitted by other UN organs and specialised agencies.
Singapore has been involved in one case before the court, in a territorial dispute with Malaysia over Pedra Branca. Both countries mutually agreed to bring the case to the ICJ.
In 2008, the court awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca to Singapore and Middle Rocks to Malaysia. It also ruled that sovereignty over South Ledge belongs to whoever owns the territorial waters it sits in.
What are some of its recent rulings?
The court has addressed some of the most pressing issues of the day in its rulings.
In a landmark decision in July 2025, it declared that governments are responsible under international law for the harms inflicted by their carbon emissions on the planet and vulnerable nations.
In the unanimous opinion, the court affirmed that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of fundamental rights such as life, health, food, water and adequate housing.
As such, international human rights law applies to climate matters, and states have a legal duty to prevent climate catastrophe and transboundary environmental harm that could impinge on these foundational rights.
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