The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, today commended the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the legal responsibilities of nations in relation to climate change, which he deemed a triumph for the global community.
On his X account, Rodríguez characterized the body’s decision in its advisory opinion on the global issue as a landmark achievement, which was recently issued at the request of the UN General Assembly.
He stated that the court’s decision firmly establishes the duty of all nations to fulfill their obligations regarding the prevention and mitigation of climate change, and the international accountability they face should they fail to do so.
In this context, he reiterated that his nation will persist in prioritizing policies and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability, safeguarding the environment, and fostering environmental awareness.
According to the head of Cuban diplomacy, it is impossible to overcome obstacles without the collaboration, emphasis, and involvement of all countries, considering their shared but varied responsibilities, and in accordance with their individual capacities and socioeconomic circumstances.
Therefore, this historical declaration represents a monumental advance in the development of international law, aimed at tackling the issues stemming from global climate change.
The advisory opinion, delivered by the ICJ president in a public hearing, underscored that the fundamental climate agreements impose legally binding responsibilities on the signing countries.
These responsibilities encompass implementing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adjusting to climate change, and fulfilling obligations regarding financial support and technology transfer.
They also include working together based on the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities and capacities.
