Vanuatu ICJ Campaign

01/03/2023

Incredible effort by the Core Group (🇻🇺🇦🇴🇦🇬🇧🇩🇨🇷🇫🇲🇲🇦🇲🇿🇳🇿🇩🇪🇱🇮🇵🇹🇷🇴🇼🇸🇸🇱🇸🇬🇺🇬🇻🇳) and UN member states,

105 countries have co-sponsored our resolution.

A massive win for our small island state!

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Climate Change Vanuatu ABC Pacific UN Climate Change Amnesty International Greenpeace International The New York Times The Guardian nzherald.co.nz Vanuatu Climate Action Network Greta Thunberg Reuters Ralph Regenvanu

28/02/2023

As Cyclone Judy hits Vanuatu, our Minister for Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu is asking for world support for our resolution at the United Nations.

Please ask your leaders to help us.

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau ABC Pacific ABC Australia UN Climate Change Greenpeace International Amnesty International Greta Thunberg The New York Times The Guardian Reuters David Pocock nzherald.co.nz CARICOM: Caribbean Community Australian High Commission, Vanuatu UK in the South Pacific USAID Pacific Islands

Vanuatu's Minister of Climate Change, Hon Ralph Regenvanu explains why Vanuatu is taking climate change to the International Court of Justice, and requests a...

27/02/2023

Vanuatu braces for another tropical cyclone. We are calling on all members of the United Nations to support our resolution requesting the International Court of Justice provide an opinion on the obligations of countries in regards to their carbon emissions and the impact on human rights.

So far 49 countries have agreed to co-sponsor the resolution.

We are asking for others to join our campaign for clarity and the protection of our human rights.

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN Vanuatu Climate Action Network Climate Change Vanuatu United Nations

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English Version
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Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 6 for TORBA, PENAMA, SANMA and MALAMPA.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 6 issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department, Port Vila at 6:06am VUT Tuesday 28 February 2023 for TORBA, PENAMA, SANMA and MALAMPA.

At 5:00am local time today, Tropical Cyclone JUDY (984hPa) CAT 2, was located at 12.6 degrees South 168.5 degrees East. Tropical Cyclone JUDY is positioned at the center of the square letter I,number 3 (I,3) of the Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Tracking
Map. Maximum winds close to the center are estimated at 110KM/HR (60Knots). This is about 175 KM northeast of Vanua Lava and 285KM north of Maewo. In the past 3 hours, Tropical Cyclone JUDY moved slowly in a south direction at a speed of 6KM/HR (3knots).

Destructive Storm force winds of 88KM/HR to 117KM/HR(48-63KTS), gusting to 125KM/HR(70KTS) will affect 30 nautical miles Northeast and Southeast from the center of the system.

Damaging gale force winds of 63KM/HR to 87KM/HR(34-47KTS) are expected to affect the provinces of TORBA, PENAMA, SANMA and MALAMPA today.

Forecast Positions
Date and Time Position Intensity
+06 hours (11am, 28 Feb) 13.2S, 168.0E 60 KTS (110 KM/HR)
+12 hours (5pm, 28 Feb) 14.0S, 167.8E 60 KTS (110 KM/HR)
+18 hours (11pm, 28 Feb) 14.9S, 167.6E 70 KTS (130 KM/HR)
+24 hours (5am, 1 Mar) 15.9S, 167.7E 60 KTS (110 KM/HR)
+36 hours (5pm, 1 Mar) 17.8S, 168.3E 50 KTS (95 KM/HR)
+48 hours (5am, 2 Mar) 19.7S, 169.5E 50 KTS (95 KM/HR)
+60 hours (5pm, 2 Mar) 21.5S, 170.8E 50 KTS (95 KM/HR)
+72 hours (5am, 3 Mar) 23.3S, 172.4E 40 KTS (95 KM/HR)

Heavy rainfalls and thunderstorm are expected over northern provinces of Vanuatu with flash flooding expected in low lying areas, areas close to the river banks, including coastal flooding
tonight and tomorrow. Seas will become rough to very rough with heavy swells expected over northern waters tonight and over central waters of Vanuatu tomorrow.

Office of the NDMO advices that Red Alert is in effect for TORBA, SANMA, PENAMA, Yellow Alert for MALAMPA province, while Blue Alert remains for SHEFA and TAFEA provinces. Actions regarding these colour Alerts, contact NDMO on 22699.

The next warning on Tropical Cyclone JUDY will be issued at 9:00am or earlier if the situation changes. People throughout are advised to continue to listen to Radio Vanuatu and all other Radio Outlets to get the latest warning on this system.

This Warning is also available on VMGD's website https://www.vmgd.gov.vu/ as well as on VMGD's page https://www.facebook.com/vmgd.gov.vu/. Also dial VMGD's
Free Toll number 116 to get the latest warning bulletin.

21/02/2023

Our Resolution has been released and is receiving support from all around the world.

We welcomed the tabling of a UN resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on human rights and climate change.

21/02/2023

UNITED NATIONS TO CONSIDER CLIMATE JUSTICE RESOLUTION

NEW YORK, 20 February 2023 –

Protecting the fundamental human rights for the world’s most climate vulnerable people became a step closer today with the release of a draft UN General Assembly Resolution to request an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.

The resolution has been developed by the Republic of Vanuatu, with a group of 18 champion nations from all geographic regions and includes the inputs and suggestions of many other UN member states.

“The final draft resolution is the culmination of a long-running campaign which began in a university classroom in the Pacific Islands,” Vanuatu’s prime minister, the Hon. Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau said.

The proposed Resolution calls for an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change and human rights, a momentous moment for climate justice.

More than 1,700 civil society groups across 130 countries have endorsed the forward-looking proposal, which seeks clarity on states’ obligations to protect human rights and prevent significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment from the adverse effects of climate change.

It is expected the advisory opinion from the ICJ will help states better prepare their domestic climate targets and policies, as well as catalyse more ambitious climate collaboration among States to meet the world’s collective goals of the Paris Agreement.

“We have consulted widely and thoroughly, taking advice from legal and scientific experts from around the world as well as making consideration for all countries in regard to the language of the constructive and globally beneficial questions we want to ask the ICJ,” Prime Minster Kalsakau said.

“We want legal clarity on our legal responsibilities when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and for other activities that may cause significant harm to vulnerable people.”

Prime Minister Kalsakau has personally written to every state leader in the United Nations, requesting they support this long-overdue question clarifying international law, and to stand with Vanuatu on the right side of history in addressing the climate crisis.

“We have listened to the scientists; we have listened to our youth, and we believe this is a critical step towards protecting the human rights of our young people and future generations with all States understanding their legal obligations under existing international treaties and conventions as related to climate change.

“Only the United Nation’s principal legal organ, the ICJ, has a mandate to answer such questions across the breath of international laws,” he said.

The final draft Resolution was released by Vanuatu and its partner countries today and is now open for all States to co-sponsor before it is expected to be officially adopted by the UN General Assembly in March and then moves on to the International Court of Justice for consideration.

For more information go to

On 20 February 2023, the 18 ICJ Champions Nations formally uploaded the final draft Resolution on the United Nation’s e-deleGATE portal (http://delegate.un.int). High ambition climate leading States are now able to Co-Sponsor the Resolution, which can be achieved immediately through their UN

15/02/2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged Vanuatu’s long standing leadership and climate advocacy and reaffirmed Australia’s support for Vanuatu’s initiative for a United Nations resolution seeking an International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on climate change.

Thank you Australia.

Vanuatu calls on all world leaders to support the Resolution calling for an ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change.

Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN
Climate Change Vanuatu
ABC Pacific

Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met for the first time and held bilateral talks on 15 February 2023 in Canberra. The Prime Ministers celebrated the long-standing partnership between Australia and Vanuatu and discussed the two countries’ work together on shared c...

15/02/2023

Question Time has begun in the Australian Parliament with both the Australian Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition welcoming Vanuatu's PM, Hon. Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau.

"I would like to recognise and commend the (Vanuatu) prime minister for his longstanding leadership in pushing for increased global action on climate change that we spoke about again here this morning. Once again thank you prime minister for joining us here today and a very, very warm Australian welcome," Prime Minister Albanese said.

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN Climate Change Vanuatu Vanuatu Daily Post

15/02/2023

NICOLAS DE RIVIÈRE (France) called on all to do their part in achieving the Paris Agreement.

In noting that the absorption of excess heat by oceans results in increased water temperatures and damaged marine ecosystems, he pointed out that small island developing States are the most exposed.

Beyond rising sea levels, all of the cumulative effects caused by climate change are potential sources of instability and conflict namely diminishing resources, submerged land, forced migration and food insecurity, he emphasized, urging the international community to respond to the state of emergency facing the oceans.

Meetings Coverage Security Council United Nations 9260th Meeting* (AM & PM) SC/15199 14 February 2023 Security Council: Sea-Level Rise Note: A complete summary of today's Security Council open debate will be made available after its conclusion. Briefings ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the U...

13/02/2023

VANUATU FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER CALLS ON FRANCE’S SUPPORT AT UN

Vanuatu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and External Trade, Hon. Jotham Napat MP has called on the people and Government of France to support Vanuatu’s bid for an International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion at the United Nations next month.

Vanuatu, with a growing coalition of supporting countries is putting the final touches on a draft resolution asking for the International Court of Justice to deliver an Advisory Opinion on the obligations of countries under international law to protect the rights of present and future generations against the adverse effects of climate change.

“Vanuatu’s relationship with France goes back to the 18th Century. They were at first our administrators and then our liberators, supporting our bid for independence,” Minister Napat said.

“We are now friends, allies and partners. The relationship is one of Vanuatu’s most important.”

Minister Napat held a formal meeting with Dr. Chrysoula Zacharopolou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships in the French Parliament to discuss the upcoming ICJ resolution.

“My meeting with Minister Zacharopolou was productive and beneficial for both countries. Whilst France has been a significant aid donor to Vanuatu, they have also heard our calls on behalf of every country in the world to take decisive action on climate change.

“I asked the Minister to consider the urgent need to protect their former colony from the ongoing effects of climate change by seeking legal clarity on climate responsibility at the World’s Court,” Minister Napat said.

“Scientists around the world have told us climate change is an existential threat to the most vulnerable. Vanuatu is in that group, along with millions of citizens around the world facing rising sea levels, more powerful storms, extreme weather, drought and flooding.”

Advisory Opinions from the ICJ are not legally binding but carry great legal weight and moral authority, which will be useful as countries formulate more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement and strengthen their domestic laws and policies.

“And to be very clear, this is not a court case, we are not blaming or targeting any nation. There will be no winners or losers,” Minister Napat said.

“The ICJ initiative is an example of a constructive and non-contentious kind of transformative approach global leaders are calling for.

“We are calling on France to join the growing list of countries supporting our United Nations resolution. Almost every organ of the United Nations has acknowledged all countries must take urgent action to combat climate change - but a major gap remains - the International Court of Justice.”

Part of the draft resolution asks the ICJ ‘What are the legal consequences for States which, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment’.

“The resolution must be forward-looking without relinquishing the climate justice dimension. The operative part, with its strong inter-generational component, is deeply forward-looking,” Minister Napat said.

“With France’s support, their advocacy and their understanding, I have no doubt our Resolution will pass and the world will be one step closer to implementing the Paris Agreement and finally seeing protection from the catastrophic damage climate change is already doing to our planet.”

For more information go to www.VanuatuICJ.com

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network - PICAN United Nations Vanuatu Climate Action Network Department of Climate Change ABC Pacific Greenpeace International Amnesty International Ralph Regenvanu Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau

The Republic of Vanuatu is building a growing coalition of States seeking an Advisory Opinion on Climate Change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).