Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne is today in the Netherlands where he will address the International Court of Justice on Monday on the matter of a request for the Court to provide an advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.

The request made by Small Island Developing States was made in response to the vulnerability of SIDS to the adverse effects of Climate Change, which are due to their geographical circumstances and level of development.

Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, in concert with other Small Island Developing States, has played a leading role in the pursuit of climate justice.

Prime Minister Browne’s advocacy has taken him to fora outside of the UNFCCC; to the UNGA, to the ITLOS and to SIDS creating the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS).

In 2022, the Commission sought the first-ever advisory opinion from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, on the obligations of states to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

In May of this year, the Tribunal rendered an historic opinion, affirming that major polluters are under a legally binding obligation to protect the oceans – and by extension, Small Island States – from catastrophic harm.

The ITLOS decision sets the stage for the oral hearings now before the International Court of Justice for the next two weeks, initiated under the leadership of Vanuatu, with the co-sponsorship of Antigua and Barbuda and other SIDS.

Ninety-Eight states and twelve international organizations have expressed their intention to participate in the proceedings before the Court commencing on Monday.  Prime Minister Gaston Browne will address (https://www.icj-cij.org/home) the Court at 10 AM EST Time.  Immediately following the Prime Minister’s address, Crown Counsel II and Agent to the ICJ for the proceedings, Zachary Phillips will present legal arguments on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda.

In his address to the ICJ, Prime Minister Browne is expected to outline the dire situation of the climate crisis, and make the linkage between the clime crisis and sovereign debt.

The country’s leader is expected to also highlight Antigua and Barbuda’s tireless work to address the climate crisis, pointing out that at every Conference of the Parties, from Paris to Baku, he has joined with other vulnerable nations to demand action on financing and justice.

The country’s leader is also expected to make clear that Antigua and Barbuda is not pointing fingers but seek clarity on the obligations of States under international law before time runs out on Small Island Developing States.

Prime Minister Browne’s statement will ask the court what States should do to protect the climate system for present and future generations and what is the responsibility of those whose actions have contributed disproportionately to the crisis.

Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the ICJ hearing of Oral Arguments in the Climate Advisory proceedings also include Crown Counsels II Nneka Nicholas and Jeniece St. Romain and COSIS Officer J’Moul Francis from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.