@CIJ_ICJ
Today, COSIS submitted to
@CIJ_ICJ
its Written Comments on the written statements of States and internat. org. in the
#ICJAO4Climate
Request ⚖️
It concludes the advisory proceedings’ written phase in the 1st climate change case before the ICJ, initiated by COSIS member Vanuatu🇻🇺
I am addressing you today as a Tuvaluan mother.
What will become of us absent our island home ? As people of the ocean, we see particular significance to UNCLOS. We look to the Tribunal for justice. We have a duty, both moral and legal, towards generations to come 🇹🇻
It is with great sadness that COSIS announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Alan Boyle, distinguished member of its Committee of Legal Experts who made immense contributions to international environmental law. COSIS expresses heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
COSIS 🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺🇻🇺🇱🇨🇻🇨🇰🇳is pleased to announce that it has been authorized by the
@CIJ_ICJ
to submit a Written Statement for the
#ICJAO
on climate change requested by UNGA consensus Resolution of 29 March 2023, led by
@VanuatuUN
🇻🇺
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
The COSIS Committee of Legal Experts and Assistants held a meeting in The Hague on July 22nd to prepare the historic
#ITLOSAO
hearing commencing September 11 in Hamburg, and the
#ICJAO4Climate
written statement to be submitted by October 20, 2023.
#ClimateJustice
in action ⚖️
Today
@cosis_ccil
🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺🇻🇺🇱🇨🇻🇨🇰🇳 submitted its Written Statement in support of its historic
#ITLOSAO
Request on climate change.
COSIS looks forward to the
@ITLOS_TIDM
🌊 hearing
All
#SIDS
are invited to join COSIS for the next stages of the proceeding
#Ocean
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
Today, at
#COP27
Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇬 met with President Nikenike Vurobaravu of Vanuatu 🇻🇺 to reaffirm the support of
@cosis_ccil
for the ICJ AO and the complementarity of the ITLOS initiative in pursuit of climate justice ⚖️
🇺🇳🇦🇬🇻🇺Friday H.E. PM Browne called to support Vanuatu’s Resolution for an ICJ advisory opinion. "Not to support the Vanuatu Resolution would be a vote to circumvent a decision on the legal obligations of each nation…thereby imperiling human civilization".
#UNGA77
#EndorsetheAO
⚖️
COSIS applauds the outstanding participation by 32 UNCLOS States Parties, 9 IGOs & 12 NGOs and UN experts in the climate change
#ITLOSAO
🌊
COSIS statement is available at 👉
Other statements are available at 👉
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
Prof
@niluferoral
“Science indicates that we are at a point that without human intervention, adaptation of natural ecosystems to climate change will not be possible.
The adaptation needs for the COSIS member States are and will be beyond their capacity to undertake”.
At the conclusion of COSIS pleadings, a reminder of the opening words of Prof. Akhavan, COSIS Lead Counsel:
“Either a unified humankind does what is necessary now to address climate change, or it will be forced to do so after unimaginable catastrophes leave no other choice”
Anthropogenic GHG emissions constitute pollution of the marine environment as they result in introduction of energy and substance into the marine environment, thus causing deleterious effects to the marine environment.
Today,
@ITLOS_TIDM
issued an Order fixing the date for the opening of the historic hearing for COSIS climate change
#ITLOSAO
on 11 September 2023 👉
COSIS invites all
#SIDS
to become members of the Commission and make their voices heard at the hearing ⚖️
For us time is running out. The ocean is our mother, yet it is being destroyed, slowly but surely leading to our demise. UNCLOS was intended precisely to address such circumstances. We expect this Tribunal to give us a navigation chart, to establish a precedent. 🇻🇺AG Loughman
COSIS Members have approved
@cosis_ccil
participation in the
@IACourtHR
advisory opinion on climate change and will submit a written opinion by the 18 October 2023 time limit.
🇨🇴🇨🇱
#IACtHRAO
request available at
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
Prof. Thouvenin elaborates on Art. 194 UNCLOS. States must take such measures as objectively necessary to prevent significant damage to the marine environment by pollution, including of other States, to prevent pollution of the high seas, to reduce GHG em. causing such pollution
🚨 COSIS is pleased to announce a pivotal moment for the Ocean and
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
The
@ITLOS_TIDM
Advisory Opinion in Case No. 31 (COSIS AO Request on 🌊🪸🌏) will be delivered by the Tribunal at a public sitting on May 21st, 2024 at 12:00 noon Hamburg time.
#ITLOSAO
On March 22, 2024, COSIS submitted its Written Statement to the
@CIJ_ICJ
to furnish information in the Advisory Opinion Request on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change ⚖️
COSIS welcomes the contribution of the ICJ to the emerging climate change jurisprudence.
Agreement on the Establishment of the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law
#cosis_ccil
. Signed on October 31, 2021, in Edinburgh. Available here:
Prof Webb elaborated on the meaning and scope of Article 192 of UNCLOS, on the specific obligations of States Parties to protect and preserve the marine environment in relation to climate change impacts, including ocean warming, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.
We are the peoples of the ocean, surrounded by vast stretches of waters that have sustained us for times immemorial….The ocean is essential to the preservation of the climate system on Earth.
All that we ask is that you clarify existing obligations under international law 🌊
Prof
@JuttaBrunnee
explains what due diligence to protect & preserve the marine environment is required of UNCLOS States in the face of climate change. It entails binding, objective standards of conduct limiting their discretion & + stringent obligations as risk increases
Today,
@cosis_ccil
celebrates its 2nd anniversary with 9 Members🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺🇻🇺🇱🇨🇻🇨🇰🇳🇧🇸, the historic ITLOS hearings ⚖️🌊 and the publication of its 2nd Annual Report
👉
QRCode👇
COSIS invites all
@AOSISChair
#SIDS
to join it in pursuit of
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
UNCLOS stands at the centre of the legal framework dedicated to the preservation and protection of the ocean. Yet, UNCLOS provisions can and must be informed by the global climate regime with respect to the impacts of climate change on the ocean 🌊🌏
We are on the frontlines of the battle of climate change. Sea levels are rising rapidly. Extreme weather events growing in frequency and intensity are killing our people and destroying our infrastructures. We are here to defend our very survival and existence.
⚖️ Join
@cosis_ccil
in the
@ITLOS_TIDM
courtroom this Monday and Tuesday, 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm, to witness a historic moment for oceans and the planet.
Register to access the courtroom 👉 press
@itlos
.org
or watch live here 👉
#ClimateJustice
Schedule for the historic
@ITLOS_TIDM
hearings in Hamburg in the COSIS
#ClimateJustice
case:
⚖️COSIS to plead September 11-12
⚖️34 States and 4 IGOs will plead September 13-25
The
#ITLOSAO
hearings will be broadcast live
Hearings Schedule here 👇👉
COSIS at
#SIDS4AB
🇦🇬
Join the high-level side event organized by COSIS & Co-Chair Antigua and Barbuda🇦🇬 on May 30 at 8am
@AmerUnivAntigua
to learn how visionary
#SIDS
leaders achieve
#ClimateJustice
with COSIS⚖️
COSIS looks forward to meeting you
@AOSISChair
at the conference
Prof Lowe’s concluding remarks in the historic
#ITLOSAO
hearing 🧵
The duty of the lawyer is to say, honestly and plainly, what the law is. The lawyer, the court, cannot physically compel people actually to do things in accordance with their legal obligations …
Incredible effort by the
#ICJAO4Climate
Core Group (🇻🇺🇦🇴🇦🇬🇧🇩🇨🇷🇫🇲🇲🇦🇲🇿🇳🇿🇩🇪🇱🇮🇵🇹🇷🇴🇼🇸🇸🇱🇸🇬🇺🇬🇻🇳) and UN member states, after we issued the L doc we had 105 co-sponsors! Appreciate the active engagement here at the UN during consultations, as well as Vanuatu's diplomatic envoys around
COSIS welcomes as its 7th member the Caribbean island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 🇻🇨 and congratulates H.E. Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves on his leadership.
@ComradeRalph
COSIS congratulates Vanuatu on the presentation of its Resolution at
#COP27
today and supports a positive vote for the
#ICJAO
at the UNGA on December 14.
🔴Press conf. on the ICJAO now! Announcement on the final formulation of the Resolution.
Core group representatives speaking today:
Hon.
@RRegenvanu
🇻🇺
Hon. Molwyn Joseph 🇦🇬
Hon. Carlos Issac Perez 🇨🇷
HOD. Ana Villalobos 🇨🇷
Hon. James Shaw 🇳🇿
#VoteYesForClimateJustice
91 written statements were filed with
@CIJ_ICJ
⚖️
👉23 from
#SIDS
👉12 from international organizations representing primarily SIDS, including COSIS
It's "the highest number of written statements ever to have been filed in advisory proceedings before the Court"
#ClimateJustice
On March 22, 2024, COSIS submitted its Written Statement to the
@CIJ_ICJ
to furnish information in the Advisory Opinion Request on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change ⚖️
COSIS welcomes the contribution of the ICJ to the emerging climate change jurisprudence.
Today, UN Member States made history by choosing
#ClimateJustice
by consensus at UNGA
States led by our Member
@VanuatuUN
🇻🇺request a first-ever climate advisory opinion from the
@CIJ_ICJ
, signifying the key role of the judiciary in addressing the greatest challenge of our time⚖️
COSIS welcomes its 9th Member, the Caribbean island nation of The Bahamas 🇧🇸and congratulates H.E. Prime Minister Philip E. Davis for his leadership.
@opmthebahamas
Case No. 31 - Available resources
Read the unanimous advisory opinion of 21 judges of
@ITLOS_TIDM
👉
Watch the video recording of the reading 👉
Find a summary of the opinion in the ITLOS press release 👉
On Nov 24, 2021, the Co-Chairs 🇦🇬🇹🇻 expressed support for the initiative of Vanuatu 🇻🇺 to ask the UN General Assembly to request an Advisory Opinion on
#climate
change from the International Court of Justice ⚖️.
#SIDS
coalition
#InternationalLaw
.
On Dec. 18, COSIS submitted its Written Opinion to the
@IACourtHR
for the AO Request by Chile🇨🇱 & Colombia🇨🇴 on the Climate Emergency ⚖️
COSIS welcomes the contribution of IACtHR to the emerging jurisprudence on the obligation of States in the face of catastrophic climate change
"The upcoming ITLOS hearing is a significant milestone, with implications that could redefine the climate change landscape". It shows extraordinary foresight & bravery to embark on a novel legal journey to combat the threats posed by climate change to
#SIDS
survival. Read here👇
Small Island States get their day in Court to address the grave challenges caused by climate change. Here is my article on this potentially game-changing development.
COSIS at
#SIDS4AB
🇦🇬
Happening now! COSIS high-level side event in ID Room with PM Browne🇦🇬, PM Teo 🇹🇻, Minister Regenvanu🇻🇺, COSIS Counsel Prof. Akhavan, Mr. Blake and SG Apinelu🇹🇻
The meeting started with the appointment of H.E. Eselealofa Apinelu as Secretary General of COSIS!
Last week, COSIS experts met to finalize the Commission’s written statement for submission to
@ITLOS_TIDM
on June 16.
All UNCLOS parties are encouraged to intervene for
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
COSIS Members🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺🇻🇺🇱🇨call on all AOSIS Members to join the Commission before June 16.
Event: Inviting UN delegates to a hybrid panel discussion on the important facets of the
#ICJAO4Climate
including climate science and its role in the
@CIJ_ICJ
@ITLOS_TIDM
proceedings, and state responsibility and its intersection with climate change. July 24 at the Ford
COSIS supports Vanuatu's ICJAO initiative and calls upon all UN Members to vote in favour of the General Assembly Resolution.
@cosis_ccil
will provide assistance to
#SIDS
to participate in the
#ICJAO
⚖️
On the eve of its submission to the
@ITLOS_TIDM
, COSIS welcomes its 8th Member, the Caribbean island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇰🇳 and congratulates H.E. Prime Minister Terrance Micheal Drew for his leadership.
@skngov
🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼 A year after the Prime Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda and Tuvalu and the President of Palau signed the
@cosis_ccil
Agreement at
#COP26
in Glasgow, they held a meeting today at
#COP27
in Sharm El Sheikh to express solidarity and to endorse the COSIS plan of action ⚖️
At the
@ITLOS_TIDM
hearing,
@cosis_ccil
will be represented by islanders from small islands that are major ocean nations. They will testify to the importance of the ocean 🌊 not only for their communities but also for humanity, as a key element to fight
#ClimateChange
#SIDS
⚖️
That I join them on their feet and deliver a speech to the Tribunal on one of the points we are seeking to address. Extremely grateful for the opportunity and I am especially happy to be addressing the Tribunal on something that is so important to me as a SIDS national. 🙌🏿🖤✨
On Oct 31, 2021, at the opening of
#COP26
🌏in Glasgow,
#smallislandstates
Antigua and Barbuda & Tuvalu concluded a historic Agreement establishing the Commission of Small Island States on
#Climate
Change & International Law. Palau was the first to join the initiative on Nov 4.
Day 2 of the COSIS historic hearing in the
#ITLOSAO
case:
Pleadings 10am - 1pm // 3pm - 6pm
The hearing will start in 30 minutes. Watch live 👉 …
#ClimateJustice
#SIDS
⚖️🌊
This week, COSIS legal experts Profs.
@mwewerinke
and David Freestone spoke at a World Bank Group seminar on the Advisory Opinions on Climate Change before
@ITLOS_TIDM
@CIJ_ICJ
@IACourtHR
to be delivered in 2024 & 2025 ⚖️
Knowledge sharing contributes to developing internat. law
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea receives a request for an advisory opinion from the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law.
🧑⚖️ The hearing in COSIS’ historic climate change case is starting
@ITLOS_TIDM
in 15 minutes.
Press articles and live tweets will be posted throughout the day.
🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺🇻🇺🇱🇨🇻🇨🇰🇳 🇧🇸
#SIDS
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
This week, COSIS Counsel Prof. Akhavan met with COSIS Co-Chair Prime Minister
@gastonbrowne
in Antigua and Barbuda🇦🇬 to discuss the organization’s plan of action for 2024. Another promising year for international law on climate change ⚖️
Dr. Sarah Cooley, Oceanographer, Lead Author of IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report, Working Group II, Chapter 3, specialised in the ocean carbon cycle and how ocean systems are changing due to human influence
The best available science is informing COSIS’ written statement and hearing
This past July was the hottest month in human history, for both the ocean and the climate system.
The ocean is by far the greatest carbon and heat sink on Earth. Its ability to trap carbon is threatened.
The
#ITLOSAO
will set the stage for what follows
Today in Fiji, COSIS legal experts Profs. Shameem, Akhavan & Tuvalu High Commissioner Apinelu briefed the
@ForumSEC
on the latest developments in
#ITLOSAO
🌊 and next steps in the quest for climate justice⚖️
Tuvalu🇹🇻 invites Pacific Islands Forum members to join COSIS at
#SIDS4
🇦🇬
COSIS fully supports its Member
@VanuatuUN
🇻🇺 + the Core Group and encourages UN Member States to unanimously
#VoteYESForClimateJustice
in
#UNGA
plenary this Wednesday, March 29, 2023 and adopt Resolution A/77/L.58 requesting the ICJ to render an advisory opinion
#ICJAO4Climate
Hold on to your seats folks and mark your calendars, we have official confirmation for the date of adoption, 10am March 29 at the General Assembly Hall.
#Vanuatu
and the
#ICJAO4Climate
Core Group looks forward to all member states joining in adopting the
📣COSIS is pleased to announce that it will hold a hybrid press conference on Monday, September 11, 2023 from 14:00 to 14:30 at the Tribunal and on Zoom.
Interested media must get accreditation. Register here by 5pm today, Friday 👉
Witness the historic reading of COSIS' Advisory Opinion
@ITLOS_TIDM
on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at noon ⚖️🌊
PRESS👉 accreditation required
PUBLIC & DIPLOMATS👉 must register 📧 press
@itlos
.org by May 16, 12pm CET
Attend the COSIS Press Conference at 2pm👇
⚖️🌊Powerful opening statement by Prime Minister Gaston Alfonso Browne of 🇦🇬Antigua & Barbuda at
#ITLOSAO
's hearing
"as Small Islands States we are coming to this tribunal based on the belief that international law must play a role in addressing the climate crisis"
more in 🧵👇
Ahead of 🌏COP27, on October 25, 2022,
@cosis_ccil
legal expert
@mwewerinke
will talk about ⚖️ climate reparations for
#SIDS
with
@commonwealthorg
Learn more and register here 👉
6am Port of Spain/12pm Amsterdam/10pm Suva
H.E. PM Browne 🇦🇬 welcomes Vanuatu's 🇻🇺 decision to join
@cosis_ccil
and emphasizes that the Pacific and Caribbean islands are united in protecting the integrity of their countries against the catastrophic impact of climate change
#SIDS
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
🌍Earth Day is the ideal time to invite you to join an upcoming
@SabinCenter
webinar on advisory opinions on climate change with COSIS experts
@mwewerinke
& P. Akhavan
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 8:30AM -12PM EST
Register here 👉
#ITLOSAO
#ICJAO4Climate
Exciting news! I am pleased to announce an upcoming webinar held by
@SabinCenter
. The webinar is titled "Advisory Opinions on Climate Change: An Overview of a Quartet of Simultaneous Requests," and you can register for it here: .
Statement of H.E. PM Natano🇹🇻 at
#UNGA
:
“I had the privilege of appearing before the esteemed judges of ITLOS in Hamburg, Germany [...]
Tuvalu urges all UN members to support Vanuatu, Antigua & Barbuda and Tuvalu, by...com[ing] together in pursuit of climate justice.”
#ITLOSAO
Today,
@cosis_ccil
legal expert Prof. Payam Akhavan gave a lecture at
@UniFiji1
🇫🇯on COSIS contribution to international law ⚖️
@cosis_ccil
seizing opportunities to let
#SIDS
lead the debate on climate change and the progressive development of international law
Today,
@cosis_ccil
celebrates its 1st anniversary with the publication of its 1st Annual Report. It reflects the significant progress made, now with 4 Members 🇦🇬🇹🇻🇵🇼🇳🇺 👉
COSIS invites all
#SIDS
to join forces in pursuit of
#ClimateJustice
⚖️
Happening now —
Webinar for counsels in the
#ICJAO4Climate
. Making international law accessible to developing States ⚖️
With
@cosis_ccil
co-counsels Ms. Catherine Amirfar and Prof. Payam Akhavan
Mr. Phillips from🇦🇬destroyed by Hurricane Irma, on the obligation of States to educate current &future generations for informed and active citizenry: “I am a youth&will inherit an ocean vastly different from the ocean of my forefathers, as a result of States actions or inactions”
#ITLOSAO
Schedule of Pleadings
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
10am-1pm:
🇩🇪 Germany
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇦🇺 Australia
3pm-6pm:
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇧🇴 Bolivia
To make climate change law accessible to Carribean societies, COSIS Counsel Prof. Akhavan and Crown Counsel
@ZPhillips268
of 🇦🇬 gave an interview on ABS TV + a lecture on
#SIDS
and climate change law at Univ. of West Indies-5 Islands campus🇦🇬, leading in climate advocacy & action
Ms. Amirfar explained how the best available science provides thresholds, targets & a menu of possible actions for States Parties to take in order to stay below 1.5*. Science must guide
@ITLOS_TIDM
. The choice of actions is subject to UNCLOS obligations, not political discretion
Live - COSIS at
#SIDS4AB
opening🇦🇬
@UN_PGA
Dennis Francis on the historic
#ITLOSAO
⚖️ obtained by COSIS for
#SIDS
:
"9 SIDS … successfully brought a case to the
@ITLOS_TIDM
which ruled that carbon emissions can be considered a sea pollutant. This historic ruling obliges...
This week, COSIS Counsel Prof. Akhavan met with Tuvalu 🇹🇻 Prime Minister Feleti Teo, COSIS Co-Chair, in Funafuti to discuss the organization’s next steps ahead of the UN
@SIDS4AB
Conference in Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇬 in May. An eventful year for COSIS thus far ⚖️