Blue Ocean Law represents Vanuatu in Historic Victory as UNGA Adopts Resolution to Seek ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change
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Contact: Julian Aguon at julian@blueoceanlaw.com
Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh at margaretha@blueoceanlaw.com
Blue Ocean Law represents Vanuatu in Historic Victory as UNGA Adopts Resolution to Seek ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change
Today, in a historic step toward climate justice, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution to seek an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”). The adoption of the resolution is the culmination of a three-year effort by the Republic of Vanuatu to bring the question of climate change before the world’s highest court. Pacific-based law firm Blue Ocean Law has provided legal advice and representation to Vanuatu throughout the entirety of the initiative.
The newly adopted resolution asks the ICJ to clarify the duties of states to protect the climate system and the rights of present and future generations from climate-induced harms, as well as the legal consequences for states that have caused significant climate harm to the planet and its most vulnerable communities.
"Today's victory is a testament to the vision and leadership of Vanuatu, which has shown tremendous determination in the face of adversity. Just this month, the country suffered not one but two Category 4 Cyclones," said Julian Aguon, founder of Blue Ocean Law and one of the leads of the legal team assisting Vanuatu in this effort. "As the founder of the only international human rights law firm in the Pacific, it has been the greatest honor of my professional life to support Vanuatu in this historic campaign. The promise of climate justice is now closer in reach," Aguon said.
Throughout the Pacific, climate change poses an existential threat. The actions that the global community takes in this decade will be decisive for the survival of entire nations. “Climate vulnerable countries like Vanuatu are already facing an onslaught of adverse climate impacts, from coastal inundation to loss of freshwater to increasingly severe storms and cyclones” said Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, who leads the legal team alongside Aguon. “The window in which to avoid climate catastrophe is rapidly closing.”
“As one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, Vanuatu is fighting for the future of our people” says Vanuatu Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu. “The adoption of this resolution is a significant step toward a better future for our people and for the planet, and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing team at Blue Ocean Law. As the world’s only Pacific-based, Indigenous-led international human rights law firm, Blue Ocean Law was the clear choice to represent us in this initiative and the work they have done has been pivotal to its success.”
"The true significance of this achievement lies in the unique contribution that the world’s highest court could make to global action on climate change," said Wewerinke-Singh. "By providing authoritative advice to all nations, the Court could unlock the power of international law to bring about the kind of deep change that the climate crisis requires."
By providing a clear and authoritative statement of what international law requires, an ICJ advisory opinion on climate change could help to foster global ambition, facilitate international climate negotiations, and provide an important touchstone for future international and domestic climate justice efforts.
About Blue Ocean Law
Blue Ocean Law is an international law firm based in Guam specializing in human rights, self-determination, and environmental justice. It adopts a holistic approach to the practice of law combined with a grassroots orientation that privileges marginalized voices. The firm’s practice focuses on issues of pressing concern to Pacific peoples, such as political and economic self-determination, redress for victims of nuclear testing and non-consensual medical experimentation, accountability for anthropogenic climate change, and recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples. For more information, visit www.blueoceanlaw.com