May 21, 2026 (SEOUL) - On May 20, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted in favor of the proposed resolution on the ‘Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change’. This endorsement marks a critical turning point in upholding States' responsibility in regard to climate change. 

In a challenging geopolitical context where multilateralism is under pressure, Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) welcomes the endorsement of this resolution as a strong signal that the international climate regime is still alive.

Last year’s Advisory Opinion (AO) was a turning point for two reasons: it dismissed the argument that the Paris Agreement replaces broader international obligations and elevated climate accountability by explicitly naming fossil fuel subsidies, new exploration licenses, and unchecked emissions as conduct that can trigger state responsibility.

The Resolution, led by Vanuatu on behalf of the Core Group of States - Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States), the Netherlands, Palau, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore - aimed to take a step further by asking the UN General Assembly to officially endorse and operationalize the Advisory Opinion. A total of 141 countries voted in favor of the Resolution, securing its adoption. This strong majority is a positive signal that States still believe in the relevance of International Law in regards to climate change. 

The resolution constitutes a milestone, albeit a diluted one. The final text represents a watered-down version of Vanuatu’s zero draft, with concessions made to secure broader consensus and avoid roadblocks from major countries. Two main elements were stripped out. These include a proposed international registry for climate-related losses and damages — which would have helped further operationalize the Loss & Damage Fund; and an explicit call for a "rapid, just and quantified phase-out of fossil fuel production and use", removed from the final text in a pattern familiar from the COP30 Mutirão negotiations.  

But the Resolution remains strong. It still urges states to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner, and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies as soon as possible.  

This is especially relevant for Korea and Japan, the second and third biggest public financiers of overseas fossil fuel projects globally. In a world where fossil fuel exploitation and combustion remain the primary drivers of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential for the international community as a whole to acknowledge the centrality of fossil fuel phase-out — a point the ICJ made clear in its Advisory Opinion. 

International law is now clearer than ever. States are legally obliged to prevent harm to the climate. As for accountability, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is now tasked to develop a process to ensure that states adhere in practice to the ICJ Advisory Opinion. This mechanism should bridge the gap between legal obligation and concrete action. 

Speaking after the adoption, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change, said: “Today the international community affirmed that climate change is not only a political and economic challenge, but a matter of law, justice, and human rights. For vulnerable countries like Vanuatu, this resolution is deeply significant because it confirms that no State is above its obligations to protect people, future generations, and our planet. This is a victory for multilateralism, for the rule of law, and for communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.” 

This sentiment reflects a decade-long, relentless effort by Pacific Island states and civil society — one that began with 27 law students at the University of the South Pacific who had the ambitious idea of seeking an ICJ Advisory Opinion as legal ground for addressing climate change. Pacific Island states are at the forefront of the climate crisis and among its most impacted. What happens to them concerns all of us — if meaningful change is not implemented quickly enough, their present will become our future. Pre-COP will be held in Fiji on October 5-8, with a High-Level segment hosted in Tuvalu — placing decision-makers face to face with the concrete impacts of the climate crisis. 

The UNGA resolution is a step toward binding legal accountability for States on climate change — and a reminder that the international community cannot afford to miss the momentum to shift from pledges to implementation. All eyes are now on Antalya, Türkiye, where COP31 will be held under the joint Turkish and Australian Presidencies, both committed to prioritizing implementation and concrete climate action.  

The ICJ and UNGA have made it clear that States are legally obligated to implement measures to hold the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C. It is essential that States — and Annex 1 countries in particular — abide by these rulings. 

Damya Kecili, Diplomacy Associate at Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), said: "Today, the UN adopted a resolution endorsing the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the legal responsibility of states in respect of climate change. 141 countries voted in favor of multilateralism and international law — a powerful demonstration of global unity around climate, and a strong signal that the international climate regime is still alive.

The Resolution constitutes a landmark towards binding legal accountability for States on climate change. The resolution should also serve as a wake-up call for the world's largest emitters. The text clearly urges states to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner — and to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies as soon as possible. This is especially relevant for Korea and Japan, the second and third biggest public financiers of overseas fossil fuel projects globally.

We sincerely thank and congratulate Vanuatu and the Core Group of States that led the resolution despite many challenges. Behind this resolution lies a decade-long, relentless effort by Pacific Island states and civil society — one that began with 27 students who dared to seek legal ground to address the climate crisis. All eyes are now on Antalya, where COP31 will take place in November. The international community cannot afford to miss the momentum to shift from pledges to implementation. We must act now."

ENDS.   

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change. 

For media inquiries, please reach out to:  

Yan Liang, International Communication Officer,  yan.liang@forourclimate.org