PISFCC Calls on Governments to Support the upcoming UNGA Resolution on the landmark Climate ICJ Ruling
What’s happening?
On the 6th of February, the government of Vanuatu introduced a draft resolution seeking to endorse the historic ICJ Advisory Opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change, handed down in July, 2025.
We, the Pacific youth, call on governments worldwide to support Vanuatu and this resolution, which represents a final, decisive step in our campaign for climate justice by turning the ICJ’s legal guidance into enforceable political action. Climate change is an issue affecting every nation and necessitates a coordinated, effective response rooted in justice, equity and open-spirited collaboration.
Drafted alongside the countries of Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Palau, Philippines, Singapore and Sierra Leone, this resolution aims to forward climate action and to implement an effective response to climate issues. Its key objectives are to unreservedly welcome the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, strengthen climate action in line with legal obligations as clarified by the ICJ and advance climate justice through mechanisms to drive the operationalisation of the Advisory Opinion.
The last of two informals sessions taking place on the 13th and 17th February has wrapped up in New York. In a recent interview with ABC Pacific Beat, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu shared that 90% of member states had attended the first round of informals, making varying statements on the proposed resolution. A second version of the draft resolution is expected to be circulated among Member States for their co-sponsorship before an expected vote at the end of March.
This matters because….
The Resolution builds on actions the ICJ agreed are necessary to address climate change and its adverse effects:
Implementing NDCs that reflect a state’s highest ambition and are consistent with limiting global warming to the 1.5ºC limit
Take the appropriate action needed to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions
Activities which qualify as internationally wrongful acts are effectively ceased and not repeated
The continuity of statehood is not affected by sea level rise related to climate change
The resolution seeks to establish an International Registry of Damage, to act as a transparent and comprehensive record of evidence and claims information on damage, loss or injury that is attributable to climate change. A mechanism such as this would build on existing mechanisms such as the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Exactly three years ago, the world stood together to take on the world’s biggest problem. Now, with the clarity that international law provides, alongside the example of collaboration and cooperation the UNGA displayed in 2023, countries can and must take the next steps forward in climate action and climate justice.
What can you do now?
Use this letter template to reach out to your UN representatives, encouraging them to support Vanuatu throughout the UNGA process.
Follow PISFCC on socials @pisfcc to stay connected to this leg of the journey of climate justice.
