Ambassador Rena Lee elected to International Court of Justice with most votes, becomes first Singaporean judge

Singapore's Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee has been elected as judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Ministry of Law (MinLaw) announced in a joint press statement on Wednesday (Nov 4) morning.

She is the first Singaporean and the first woman from Southeast Asia to be elected to the ICJ, the ministries added.

"This is a significant milestone for Singapore," they said.

The 57-year-old ambassador begins her term as judge of the ICJ in February next year, alongside Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, Francois Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Phoebe Okawa of Kenya.

Their term is from 2027 to 2036.

Held in both the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) and UN Security Council (UNSC) at the UN headquarters in New York on Nov 3, Lee secured an absolute majority in both places.

She received 151 out of 191 votes at the UNGA and 13 out of 15 votes at the UNSC.

"The strong support reflects the international community’s strong trust and confidence in Ambassador Lee," the ministries said of the result.

In a statement issued to the media after her win, the ambassador said that she is deeply honoured by the trust and confidence that the international community has placed in her.

Turning to the ICJ, she noted the institution's vital role in the peaceful settlement of disputes and upholding of international law, especially at a time of growing global uncertainty.

"I look forward to serving on the Court with independence, impartiality and integrity, and to contributing to its important work in the years ahead," Lee said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Law Edwin Tong, who are in New York to support her candidature, also congratulated the ambassador on her election.

"The results demonstrate the international community’s recognition of Ambassador Lee’s strong abilities, extensive experience, and standing in international law. Singapore also deeply appreciates the votes of confidence from our many friends around the world," Dr Balakrishnan said.

The foreign affairs minister also reiterated the court's role as an "indispensable institution" that upholds and advances international law.

Law Minister Edwin Tong said the strong endorsement shows the international community’s confidence in Lee’s deep legal expertise and her proven track record in international law, adding that Singapore has been a staunch defender of an inclusive and rules-based international order.

"For international law to truly work, it must be anchored in institutions that are trusted, credible and effective. The ICJ is one such institution.

"For it to remain strong and effective in upholding international law, its bench must continue to comprise well-qualified Judges who serve with integrity," he added.

新加坡外交部和律政部周三（11月4日）上午发表联合新闻声明宣布，新加坡国际法大使李丽娜当选为国际法院法官。

各部委补充说，她是第一位当选国际法院法官的新加坡人，也是第一位当选国际法院法官的东南亚女性。

“这对新加坡来说是一个重要的里程碑，”他们说。

这位 57 岁的大使将于明年 2 月开始担任国际法院法官，与她一同担任法官的还有英国的达波·阿坎德、法国的弗朗索瓦·阿拉布鲁内、约旦的马哈茂德·戴法拉·赫穆德和肯尼亚的菲比·奥卡瓦。

他们的任期为2027年至2036年。

11月3日，李在纽约联合国总部举行的联合国大会和联合国安全理事会会议上均获得绝对多数票。

她在联合国大会上获得了 191 票中的 151 票，在联合国安理会上获得了 15 票中的 13 票。

两国政府部门在谈到选举结果时表示：“这一强有力的支持反映了国际社会对李大使的强烈信任和信心。”

大使在当选后向媒体发表声明称，她对国际社会给予她的信任和信心深感荣幸。

她谈到国际法院时指出，该机构在和平解决争端和维护国际法方面发挥着至关重要的作用，尤其是在全球不确定性日益加剧的时期。

李说：“我期待着以独立、公正和正直的态度在法庭上服务，并在未来几年为法庭的重要工作做出贡献。”

外交部长维文·巴拉克里希南博士和律政部长唐振辉正在纽约支持她的候选资格，他们也对大使当选表示祝贺。

巴拉克里希南博士表示：“结果表明国际社会认可李大使的卓越能力、丰富经验和国际法地位。新加坡也衷心感谢世界各地众多朋友的信任投票。”

外交部长还重申了该法院作为维护和推进国际法的“不可或缺的机构”的作用。

新加坡律政部长唐振辉表示，国际社会对李显龙的强有力支持表明了国际社会对其深厚的法律专业知识和国际法领域卓著成就的信心，并补充说，新加坡一直是包容性和基于规则的国际秩序的坚定捍卫者。

“国际法要真正发挥作用，必须依托于值得信赖、可信且高效的机构。国际法院就是这样一个机构。”

“为了保持其在维护国际法方面的强大和有效，其法官队伍必须继续由品行端正、素质优良的法官组成，”他补充道。