ICJ AO Pathway 

The ICJ accepts requests for an advisory opinion from a limited number of entities specifically authorised to do so under the Charter of the United Nations. This includes the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The request takes the legal form of a UNGA resolution, adopted by a simple majority of UN member states present and voting.

The ICJ Resolution was adopted by unanimous consensus at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on 29 March 2023. 

Here is a briefing on the legal proceedings and court process at the ICJ after the UNGA adoption. 

To take us into the next phase, we need YOUR continued support.

What can you do?

• Speak to your government representatives and officials at every level and urge them to proactively engage in the submission and oral hearing processes at the International Court of Justice 

• Make this issue a top priority for your own advocacy and communications this year by spreading the word on the initiative and calling out for governments to recall that climate action is not a mere matter of discretion, but an exacting requirement under a range of international laws. 

• Get involved in local government and civil society organizations to build up community awareness of climate change and its impacts on human rights and intergenerational equity, and the importance of comprehensive and progressive advisory opinion from the ICJ.