On 11 November 2025 the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to present the Court's annual report, detailing its activities, ongoing cases and reparations processes, as well as current challenges.
Referring to the attacks, threats and coercive measures against the Court and its officials, the President emphasised the importance of respecting judicial independence and the rule of law. The President expressed the Court's appreciation to States and the United Nations for their invaluable cooperation with the Court, without which ICC activities cannot continue.
"Universality of the Rome Statue is one of the most important means to increase the Court's legitimacy and reinforce the commitment made by the international community when the Court was established" said the President. She assured that the Court will continue efforts aimed at achieving universality and full implementation of the Statute together with its partners.
President Akane provided an overview of the heavy workload during the reporting period at all stages of ICC proceedings. Particularly in reference to reparations and activities for the benefit of victims, the President remarked that "The Court gives victims a voice, a space to tell their stories, and the hope that truth will be acknowledged and responsibility established. Providing suffering humanity with hope and truth is at the very core of the Court's raison d'être".
In concluding, President Akane stated "sustaining the international rule of law is a perpetual endeavour which requires collective action by the international community and the full use of the tools and institutions that exist to safeguard the international legal order. Yet, we are constantly reminded of the fragility of this endeavour and how a momentary lapse in our commitment can have a detrimental impact on decades-long work. Despite all the challenges, the International Criminal Court will continue to carry out its judicial mandate to deal with individual criminal responsibility, with full independence and impartiality. In so doing, the Court hopes to offer its contribution to the rule of law in the international community".
Before her address, President Akane met with H.E. Ms Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, discussing further cooperation between the ICC and the UN as well as other matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of universality.
During her visit to the United Nations, the President also met with the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Mr António Guterres, reiterating the Court's appreciation to the United Nations for the support provided in all parts of the globe, which allows the Court to carry out its mandate in support of international criminal justice and the rule of law. The President expressed her strong desire to strengthen this mutually beneficial relationship, particularly in view of the current challenges. The President also met with the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel, Ms Elinor Hammarskjöld, during which she discussed practical matters to strengthen the cooperation between the Court and the United Nations.
Whilst in New York, the President also met with representatives of approximately 30 States Parties during an informal exchange hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone. The President discussed the current challenges and ways in which States Parties can support the Court in the fight against impunity.
ICC President Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, 11 November 2025
Annual report of the International Criminal Court to the United Nations on its activities in 2024/25
