A month ago, the United Nations General Assembly took a position significantly less ambiguous than the ICJ on a question of existential importance to island States threatened by climate-induced sea-level rise. Referring to the Climate Change Advisory Opinion, it recalls that the Court “found that, once a State is established, the disappearance of one of its constituent elements…

What caused such a stir about newly elected and first-ever female Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan last month? Appearing before the House of Representatives Budget Committee on November 7th, Takaichi was asked by an opposition member to clarify her government’s understanding of what might amount to an “existential crisis situation” (存立危機事態) under Japanese law…

As the public hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change drew to a close on 13 December, the Court began its deliberation with much material to reflect on. The request introduced by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2023 – even if not…