The public hearings on the merits of the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar: 11 States intervening), which opened on 12 January 2026, concluded on 29 January 2026.  The Court will now begin its deliberation. Its decision will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced in due course.

On 23 December 2025, Belgium filed a declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).

The Court will hold public hearings on the merits of the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar: 11 States intervening) from Monday 12 to Thursday 29 January 2026. 

By an Order dated 17 December 2025, the President of the Court fixed 19 October 2026 and 19 August 2027 as the respective time-limits for the filing of the Reply of Azerbaijan and the Rejoinder of Armenia in the case concerning Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Azerbaijan v. Armenia). 

By an Order dated 17 December 2025, the President of the Court fixed 19 October 2026 and 19 August 2027 as the respective time-limits for the filing of the Reply of Armenia and the Rejoinder of Azerbaijan in the case concerning Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan). 

As part of the ongoing review of its procedures and working methods, the Court has amended Article 78 of its Rules in order to address the question of the publication of reports of the parties on compliance with provisional measures indicated by the Court. The amendments will enter into force on 2 February 2026.  

The composition of the Budgetary and Administrative Committee, the Rules Committee and the Library Committee of the Court has recently changed.

By an Order dated 9 December 2025, the Court has authorized the submission of a Reply by the Islamic Republic of Iran and a Rejoinder by Canada in the case concerning Alleged Violations of State Immunities (Islamic Republic of Iran v. Canada). It has fixed 9 September 2026 and 9 June 2027 as the respective time-limits for the filing of those written pleadings. 

By an Order dated 5 December 2025, the Court found that the counter-claims submitted by the Russian Federation in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) are admissible as such and form part of the current proceedings. By that same Order, the Court has authorized Ukraine to submit a Reply and the Russian Federation to submit a Rejoinder. It has fixed 7 December 2026 and 7 December 2027 as the respective time-limits for the filing of those written pleadings.

The term of office of the current Registrar of the Court will expire on 31 July 2026. The Court invites qualified candidates to submit applications in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 22 of the Rules of Court and in the vacancy announcement for the post of Registrar. 

On 2 December 2025, diplomatic representatives attended an information session on the procedures at the Court at its seat, the Peace Palace in The Hague. Following welcoming remarks by HE Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the Court, presentations were delivered by HE Mr Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the Court, and members of the Legal Department.

By an Order dated 27 November 2025, the Court fixed 29 June 2026 and 29 January 2027 as the respective time-limits for the filing of the Memorial of Russia and the Counter-Memorial of Australia and Netherlands in the case concerning Appeal from the ICAO Council decision dated 30 June 2025 (Russian Federation v. Australia and Netherlands). 

The public hearings on Guatemala's request for permission to intervene in the case concerning Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes/Cayos Zapotillos (Belize v. Honduras), which opened on 24 November 2025, concluded on 26 November. The Court will now begin its deliberation. Its decision will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced in due course.

On 12 November 2025, the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations elected Ms Phoebe Okowa, of Kenyan nationality, as a Member of the International Court of Justice, with immediate effect.

The Court will hold public hearings on Guatemala’s Application for permission to intervene in the case concerning Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes/Cayos Zapotillos (Belize v. Honduras) from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 November 2025.

On 31 October 2025, the President of the Court, HE Judge Iwasawa Yuji, addressed the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the topic of the domestic application of international law and, in particular, the role of domestic institutions in the application and enforcement of decisions of the Court. 

On 29 October 2025, Comoros filed a declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).

In an interview with UN News, HE Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the Court, talks about the activities of the Court, its heavy caseload and certain recent cases. 

On 30 October 2025, the President of the Court, HE Judge Iwasawa Yuji, presented the Annual Report of the Court for the judicial year 2024-2025 to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.