Ahead of his departure, Japan's long-serving judge at the International Court of Justice, Hisashi Owada, said Thursday that it is critical for the U.N. Security Council to work in concert with the high court in the name of justice to help maintain peace around the globe.
"The International Court of Justice can have a role to play in actively contributing to the maintenance of peace and security in parallel with the Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for this purpose," he said at a high-level meeting.
The 85-year-old judge was among leading experts who weighed in at the daylong event focused on international law. It attracted high-level politicians at a time when such discussions are especially relevant, with multiple crises converging and posing challenges to the international body.