‘The force of law must prevail over the law of force,’ says António Guterres

International law is more vital than ever at a time when even major powers are questioning its relevance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, Guterres warned that violations of international law are unfolding “before our eyes.”

“It is precisely because the international system is under such strain that adherence to international law matters more than ever — especially in this era of shifting power dynamics,” he said. “The force of law must always prevail over the law of force.”

Guterres was speaking at a special session held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, attended by Dutch King Willem-Alexander. He noted that the ICJ, which adjudicates disputes between states, is busier than ever as global tensions rise.

The court has drawn significant attention in recent times, including a case brought by South Africa against Israel, alleging violations of the UN Genocide Convention in Gaza. It also issued a landmark environmental ruling last year, requiring states to take stronger action on climate change and opening the door to potential reparations for failures.

However, Guterres cautioned that institutions like the ICJ are increasingly being challenged — not just on the fringes, but at the very core of the international system, including by countries tasked with maintaining global peace and security.

He reiterated that ICJ rulings are legally binding, even though the court lacks enforcement powers — a limitation critics often highlight. As an example, he pointed to the court’s order for Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine shortly after it began, which went unheeded.

“Respect for those decisions is not optional. It is a UN Charter obligation,” Guterres stressed.

With the global order under strain, he said humanity faces a clear choice: a future governed by the rule of law, or one driven by raw power.

ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa also warned of “troubling signs,” noting that some countries are openly questioning the value of multilateralism. “In some cases, the role of law itself has been openly questioned,” he said, adding that such trends put immense pressure on the international legal system and underscore that the rule of law cannot be taken for granted.