80 jaar International Court of Justice, 9 november 2026

 

Mr. President, distinguished members of the Court,

Minister Berendsen,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

For more than a century, The Hague has been a city of hope.

Hope for peace.

Hope for justice.

And hope that justice can help secure peace.

Early steps on that journey were taken during the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907.

The first stone of this very building was laid during the latter conference.

The Peace Palace was built to house the Permanent Court of Arbitration, one of the first permanent institutions dedicated to the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

Since 1946, it has been home to the International Court of Justice.

For eight decades, the Court has offered nations a peaceful path to resolve disputes.

It has helped clarify international law and strengthen legal certainty in relations between states.

Time and again, it has shown that even the most difficult disagreements can be addressed through dialogue and law rather than through force.

Some of the most important developments in international law have been shaped by the Court’s judgments and advisory opinions.

Cases before this Court have helped define the legal limits on the use of force, clarified the responsibilities of states, and strengthened the framework for the peaceful resolution of disputes.

But perhaps its greatest achievement goes beyond any individual judgment.

For eighty years, states have come to this building with disputes that could have deepened divisions and fuelled conflict.

Instead, they chose to place their trust in law.

The Court has shown that even when nations disagree profoundly, there remains an alternative to confrontation.

That may be its most enduring contribution.

None of this would have been possible without the commitment of generations of dedicated individuals.

The people who serve this institution, from the doorman to the President.

But also those beyond its walls.

Those who placed their trust in international justice.

The individuals, communities and states that turned to law to resolve their differences.

The lawyers and advocates who gave voice to their causes.

And the staff of international organizations who work every day to uphold the international rule of law.

To all of them, we owe a debt of gratitude.

The Court’s 80th anniversary is a powerful reminder of how deeply the ideals of peace and justice are woven into the history of this city and of this building.

We have come a long way since those early beginnings.

Today, The Hague is recognized around the world as the international city of peace and justice.

We host hundreds of organizations dedicated to upholding the international rule of law.

And we actively support the principles on which they are founded.

Our city takes pride in that.

But we also see it as a responsibility.

Especially today, as institutions that uphold international law face growing pressure.

The sanctions imposed by the United States on the International Criminal Court and members of its staff are one example.

They affect the Court’s ability to carry out its work and create uncertainty for those who support its mission.

We have already seen the effects.

More than twenty human rights organizations have felt compelled to suspend or limit their cooperation with the Court.

At the same time, support for the ICC and for the international rule of law remains strong.

Cities and international partners around the world have spoken out in its defence.

Their message was clear: international justice deserves support when it comes under pressure.

That broad support matters.

Because international law cannot defend itself.

It depends on people willing to defend it.

Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I reaffirm, as Mayor of The Hague, our enduring commitment to promoting peace through law.

We will continue to contribute actively to a strong and effective international legal order.

The promise of international law is also a promise of peace.

It is the belief that disputes can be settled through dialogue rather than force.

And that even in times of international tension, justice must not yield to power.

For more than a century, The Hague has carried that promise.

It is a promise we must keep.

Every generation faces the choice between power and principle.

For eighty years, this Court has reminded the world that law remains the better path.

May it continue to do so for many years to come.