International Court of Justice

The resolution was adopted by consensus.

“Today we have witnessed a win for climate justice of epic proportions,” said Ishmael Kalsakau, Prime Minister of Vanuatu, in a video statement responding to the adoption of the resolution.

“Vanuatu sees today’s historic resolution as the beginning of a new era in multilateral climate cooperation, one that is more fully focused on upholding the rule of international law and an era that places human rights and intergenerational equity at the forefront of climate decision-making.”

Regional heads of government will convene in Suva next week for the 51st Forum Leaders Meeting - their first face-to-face gathering since 2019.

The Forum Foreign Ministers meeting took place on Friday, ahead of the leaders' meeting starting on Monday.

Vanuatu is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world and has embarked on an ambitious campaign to take the human rights impacts of climate change to the world's highest court.

In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Dr Faruqi said Australia should take a leadership position in supporting its Pacific neighbour.

She said wealthy, colonial countries, including Australia, bear the overwhelming responsibility for causing the climate crisis.

Vanuatu is among more than a dozen Pacific nations dealing with rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms that can wipe out much of their economies.

In a statement, Vanuatu said current levels of action and support for vulnerable developing countries are insufficient.

It said Vanuatu wants the ICJ to clarify the responsibilities for climate change under international law.

Although not binding, a climate change ICJ advisory opinion would add great legal weight to the increasing amount of climate litigation happening globally.

The World Court's previous advisory opinions have been instrumental in establishing international laws, such as the right to self-determination, prevention of genocide and nuclear disarmament.

In a statement, Vanuatu said current levels of action and support for vulnerable developing countries are insufficient.

It said it wants the ICJ to clarify the responsibilities for climate change under international law.

Although not binding, a climate change ICJ advisory opinion would add great legal weight to the increasing amount of climate litigation happening globally.