Statement at the plenary meeting of
the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly

under agenda item 73: "Report of the International Court of Justice"

Delivered by Mr. Tale Aliyev, First Secretary

14 November 2025

Madam President,

At the outset, I would like to thank the President of the International Court of Justice for presenting the report (A/80/4), which covers the activities of the Court between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025. We also take note of the Secretary-General’s report on the trust fund to assist States in the settlement of disputes through the International Court of Justice (A/80/338).

Madam President, last month the United Nations commemorated the eightieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Charter of the Organization. One of the purposes enshrined in the Charter is “to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace” (Article 1(1) of the U.N. Charter). All Members thus undertake to “settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered” (Article 2(3) of the U.N. Charter).

The peaceful settlement of disputes remains one of the key principles of the United Nations. The commitment to resolve disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international law is one of the cornerstones of the notion of the rule of law at the international level. It is linked to various other principles of international law, including in particular the equally core principle prohibiting the use of force in international relations save for self-defence and Security Council authorized activities.

It is abundantly clear that the drafters of the Charter did not develop its purposes and principles to be arbitrarily interpreted as permitting, encouraging, or justifying aggression and other prohibited actions. The conduct inconsistent with this basic understanding necessitates greater efforts to counter misinterpretations of the Charter and international law in general, reaffirm the absence of conflict between the commonly agreed norms and principles, and recall the duty of States to implement their international obligations in good faith.

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice plays an important role in adjudicating disputes, as well as in interpreting and clarifying the meaning of the Charter purposes and principles, and providing authoritative guidance for States and assisting the United Nations organs. 

The sustained increase in new cases submitted to the Court on a wide range of topics, the involvement of many States in contentious or advisory proceedings before the Court, the significant number of judgments and orders it delivered during the period under review and the geographical scope and diversity of the cases brought before the Court reflect the dynamism and the growing recognition of the Court’s contribution to global peace and security and the development of international law.

Mr. President, Article 36(2) of the Statute of the Court requires that a matter brought before it should be a legal dispute. The value of judicial settlement is high as it takes place within a legal framework and upon the basis of legal norms.

Evidently, for the process of judicial settlement to operate successfully, it should be consistent with international law, particularly where peremptory norms are concerned, done in a manner that precludes the recrudescence of a dispute, and not be misused to promote and advance political goals, including through attempts to shoehorn claims into a legal framework.

The parties to disputes before judicial bodies must take greater care to ensure that their conduct and rhetoric are in accord with their broader obligations under international law and the ensuing objectives, principles and prospects of negotiated settlement, reconciliation and sustainable peace.   

There can be no justification for the neglect of underlying facts and misinterpretation of the Court’s proceedings and rulings for propaganda and disinformation purposes by the parties to a dispute, as well as by other circles.

It is therefore important to further strengthen global efforts to combat the plague of mis- and disinformation, evaluate claims with extreme caution and great reserve and rely on evidence that is fully conclusive and obtained by skilled examination.

Azerbaijan has been and remains fully committed to the universally recognized norms and principles of international law and will continue its efforts to build sustainable peace and promote conflict prevention, justice and accountability.

Thank you.