Thank You Madam President

I make this statement on behalf of the fourteen Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

CARICOM welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

We thank the delegation of Vanuatu and the Core Group of countries for their work on the text and commend the months of negotiations towards reaching broad agreement which led to today’s resolution.

On March 29, 2023, this Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 77/276 in which it requested the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on questions related to the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and, on the legal consequences that would flow from these obligations.

A record 96 States presented oral statements at the hearing, - the highest level of participation in a proceeding in the history of the ICJ - reflecting the critical importance that States place on the issue of climate change.

CARICOM member States welcome the unanimous Advisory Opinion of the Court, which was delivered on July 23, 2025. As small island developing States and low-lying coastal States, our countries are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. As acknowledged by the Court, the questions posed the General Assembly represent more than a legal problem. Rather, they concern an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet which requires political and social follow up to the legal findings.

The value of the Opinion includes its holistic consideration of the international treaties, customary international law and international human rights law that govern the questions put to the Court and, the clear elucidation of the legal obligations that arise therefrom.

CARICOM emphasizes the importance of respect for the International Court of Justice, including in the exercise of its advisory jurisdiction to an international order based on the rule of law.

Significant is the Court’s Opinion that a breach by a State of any of the obligations identified by the Court in relation to climate change constitutes an internationally wrongful act entailing the responsibility of that State from which specified legal consequences would follow.

Madam President

The resolution that was just adopted reflects key elements of the Opinion and, importantly, presents follow-up measures that can be taken by States in compliance with their respective obligations under international law. We welcome the inclusion in the provisional agenda of its eighty‑third session the item entitled “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change ”.

In CARICOM’s view, it is crucial that we not only welcome the opinion in this moment but also ensure meaningful follow up.

I thank you.