Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, 21 Dec. 2020, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "the Promotion and Strengthening of the Rule of Law in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security"]

S/PRST/2020/13View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 22 The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security, published in 2020.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Internal Security International Courts International Law Rule of Law

What’s in this document?

11 paragraphs

On 21 December 2020, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security”, in accordance with the procedure agreed in light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and set out in S/2020/372, the President of the Security Council issued the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council, on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, reaffirms its commitment to international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which are timeless, universal and indispensable foundations of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, and to an international order based on international law, which is essential for cooperation among States in addressing common challenges.

“The Security Council notes the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations Charter and the one hundredth anniversary of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, and underlines the importance and value of the work of these two organs.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of all the provisions of the United Nations Charter regarding the peaceful settlement of disputes and the International Court of Justice, including those pertaining to interaction between the Security Council and the International Court of Justice.

“The Security Council recalls its commitment to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes which might lead to a breach of the peace.

“The Security Council recalls its previous presidential statements, including on 22 June 2006 (S/PRST/2006/28), 29 June 2010 (S/PRST/2010/11) and 19 January 2012 (S/PRST/2012/1), which reaffirmed the importance of the International Court of Justice in the international architecture and maintenance of international peace and security.

“The Security Council recognizes the positive contribution of the Court to the rule of law at the international level, and its key role in adjudicating disputes among States, thus defusing tensions and restoring peaceful relations among States.

“The Security Council notes the growing number of cases brought to the International Court of Justice on all aspects of international relations, demonstrating confidence in the Court.

“The Security Council recognizes the need to enhance efforts aimed at capacity building and assisting Member States, upon their request, in the implementation of their respective obligations under the Charter, including the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means.

“The Security Council notes the importance of the Judicial Fellowship Programme of the International Court of Justice and commends the Court for its efforts to make it as widely accessible as possible to law graduates, inclusive of young women, from a wide range of geographic and linguistic backgrounds, in particular developing countries, to familiarise themselves with the work of the Court and develop their skills in the field of the peaceful settlement of international disputes through the law.

“The Security Council expresses its continued commitment to foster interaction between the International Court of Justice and the Council in accordance with their respective mandates under the Charter of the United Nations.”

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

Table of contents