Vietnam participates in ICJ’s Climate Change Opinion Proceedings

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands has formally applied to participate in the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s advisory opinion on climate change. Vietnam’s submission emphasizes the importance of upholding countries’ obligations in addressing climate change as outlined in key international agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

Vietnam underscores that nations bear the responsibility to prevent harm to the global climate system and stresses the necessity of cooperative efforts in response to climate change. Failure by developed nations to meet these obligations, Vietnam asserts, should entail legal consequences under international law. Furthermore, Vietnam highlights existing mechanisms within the international legal framework to compensate developing countries for losses and damages caused by climate change, with such compensation guided by the CBDR principle, placing heavier responsibility on developed nations due to their emissions.

Over 80 countries, as reported by the ICJ Secretariat, have expressed interest in participating in the ICJ’s advisory opinion on climate change. This move follows the UN General Assembly’s passage of Resolution 77/276 on March 29, 2023, which urged the ICJ to provide guidance on states’ obligations regarding climate change. Vietnam, along with Vanuatu and 16 other states, played a central role in promoting this resolution.

Notably, this marks Vietnam’s third attempt to engage in the ICJ’s advisory opinion proceedings.”