Papua New Guinea will participate in the International Court of Justice for the first time to address climate change impacts and seek compensation and climate finance access. Justice Minister Pila Niningi announced the decision to present legal obligations related to climate change, amplifying the voices of affected Pacific Island nations. Prime Minister James Marape emphasized the importance of global collaboration in ensuring fair compensation and addressing the climate crisis.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is poised to engage for the first time with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to contend with the ramifications of climate change. PNG’s Justice and Attorney-General Minister, Pila Niningi, announced this initiative as the country intends to present an oral statement concerning the legal obligations of nations regarding climate change. This move follows a request by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion on the matter. Minister Niningi highlighted that this significant step is in line with PNG’s long-standing commitment to environmental preservation and combating climate change. He indicated that a delegation from his ministry will include key officials, such as Dr. Eric Kwa, the Secretary of Justice and Attorney-General, and representatives from the Department of Climate Change, who will travel to the Netherlands on December 2 for a two-week engagement with the ICJ. The recent decision emerges from discussions at the 79th UNGA held in Fiji, attended by various justice ministers and attorneys general from Pacific and Caribbean nations. Niningi asserted, “PNG’s participation in the ICJ process will give voice to the challenges faced by Pacific Island nations which endure the direct impacts of rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns.” Furthermore, he elaborated on the significance of the ICJ’s advisory opinion as it seeks to elucidate the legal responsibilities of nations in addressing climate change, particularly as they pertain to international law, human rights, and environmental treaties. Prime Minister James Marape, addressing the UNGA in Fiji, underscored the pivotal role of PNG’s diverse rainforests, marine ecosystems, and indigenous cultures which now stand at a critical juncture between preservation and potential extinction. He emphasized the necessity for global collaboration to ensure fair compensation and access to climate financing for forest nations, enabling them to sustainably manage their natural resources while confronting the broader climate crisis. “Action needs to be taken to ensure fair compensation and access to climate finance for forest nations like PNG, to support the sustainable management of their natural resources while addressing the global climate crises,” remarked Prime Minister Marape.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) serves as a principal judicial organ of the United Nations, providing advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN bodies and specialized agencies. The pressing issue of climate change has garnered attention globally, particularly among nations vulnerable to its effects, such as island nations in the Pacific. These countries face significant threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns, necessitating legal discourse on the responsibilities of states in mitigating climate change impacts. PNG’s participation in the ICJ is intended to highlight these challenges and seek clarity in legal obligations under international law, especially in relation to human rights and environmental treaties.
In conclusion, Papua New Guinea’s engagement with the ICJ represents a pivotal moment in the global dialogue on climate change accountability. By seeking an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states, PNG aims to amplify the voices of Pacific Island nations affected by climate change. The commitment from PNG’s government underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and climate finance to preserve natural resources and combat the impacts of climate change, which threatens both biodiversity and human livelihoods.
Original Source: www.thenational.com.pg
