RC Remarks at the reception on the ICJ’s AO on the obligation of States in addressing climate change

Last week, we witnessed a turning point. The International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion on the obligations of States in addressing climate change, a milestone in international law, and a triumph of youth-led advocacy. 

This journey began not in the courtroom, but in the lecture hall. Six years ago, law students from across the Pacific, driven by hope and resolve, launched a campaign that would ripple across continents. They asked a question that shook the foundations of global responsibility: Do States have a legal duty to protect our environment and our climate?  

With limited funding, but fierce determination, these students  set sail with a small vaka (boat) of hope in a vast ocean, carrying a bold question that would reach the world’s highest court.  

Following the unanimous adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly in March 2023, the ICJ received a record 91 written submissions from States and international organizations and convened two weeks of oral hearings. The answer, delivered just days ago, is unequivocal.  

The ICJ affirmed that States must act with urgency, diligence, and cooperation to curb greenhouse gas emissions and protect the global climate system. And when they fail, they bear legal responsibility.  

To the youth who led this movement: You have changed the course of history. You have shown that courage can rise from coastlines, and justice can flow from islands.  

You have reminded us that leadership is not defined by age or title, but by vision, persistence, and heart.  

You have inspired not only your peers, but leaders, diplomats, and communities around the world. You have proven to the world that the smallest islands can send forth the mightiest waves.  

We stand in awe of your clarity, conviction, and compassion. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the moral compass and leaders of today. 

To every child in Tuvalu, every student in Vanuatu, every young activist in the Solomon Islands: Your voice matters. Your courage counts. You are shaping the future. 

The Pacific has long borne the brunt of climate change. But today, it stands at the forefront of climate justice. This advisory opinion strengthens the legal foundation for future action. It affirms that international law can be a tool for equality, dignity, and survival, for climate justice, not just for the Pacific, but for all humanity. 

But this is only the beginning. The ICJ advisory opinion affirms that climate justice demands more than words and declarations; it requires enduring, collective action. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), States are bound by a duty to cooperate, faithfully, continuously, and with purpose, to prevent significant harm to the climate system and the environment. This is not optional; it is a legal and moral imperative. 

Now, the global community must match that courage with commitment. The UN Secretary General has reiterated his call to all countries, G20 countries in particular: present 2035 nationally determined contributions that are economy-wide, cover all emissions, align with the 1.5-degree goal, and chart a credible path away from fossil fuels.  

In this spirit, let us carry this momentum forward: together, yumi, in solidarity, and with the unwavering resolve that climate justice demands. 

Thank You, Tangkiu Tumas