The Hague: Europe and the Arabs

The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (“the Assembly”) held its 24th session from 1 to 5 December 2025 at the World Forum Convention Centre in The Hague. Representatives of States Parties, observer States, international and regional organizations, and non-governmental organizations attended the session. According to a statement issued by the Court’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, a copy of which we received, the session was chaired by the President of the Assembly, Her Excellency Ms. Päivi Kokoranta. At the close of the session, the President said: “I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the delegations, observers, civil society actors, and Court officials and staff for their unwavering commitment to the Rome Statute. Despite global challenges, we have stood united. I am confident that by working together, as we have done during this Assembly and consistently in the past, we will safeguard the independence of the Court and the Rome Statute.”

The Assembly also elected seven members to the Budget and Finance Committee: Mr. Karl-Heinz Heller (Germany); Mr. Urmit Lie (Estonia); Mr. Daniel McDonnell (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Mr. Amy Gilbert Raveloson (Madagascar); Mr. Pascual Tomás Hernández (Spain); Ms. Ana Patricia Villalobos Arrieta (Costa Rica); and Ms. Mateja Franječar Erman (Slovenia). Furthermore, the Assembly elected one member to the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims: Mr. O-Gun Kwon (Republic of Korea).

The Assembly held its general debate, focusing on concrete measures to strengthen the International Criminal Court. The participation of ministers, international organizations, and civil society representatives enriched this debate. The Assembly held two thematic plenary sessions on cooperation and non-cooperation. Several side events also took place during the session, including many organized by civil society.

The Assembly adopted six resolutions unanimously concerning: strengthening the International Criminal Court and the Assembly of States Parties; cooperation; amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the International Criminal Court; implementation of Recommendation R108 of the Independent Group of Experts; procedures and criteria for waiving the loss of voting rights; and the 2026 Programme budget, totaling €196,852,900, with a staffing level of 1,008.

The Assembly decided to hold its twenty-fifth session from 7 to 17 December 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.