Slovenia supports the candidacy of the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

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The initiative to nominate the ICJ for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize originates from professional circles and represents a civil society and professional initiative led by Professor Alain Pellet, one of the world's leading experts in international law and a long-standing member of the United Nations International Law Commission. The list of supporters of the initiative includes several hundred individuals, including ministers, members of parliament, academics, judges of international courts and representatives of organisations that are Nobel Peace Prize laureates, giving the initiative exceptional professional weight. The initiative is based on the belief that the ICJ makes a significant contribution to the prevention of armed conflicts and the enforcement of fundamental civilisational norms.

Support for the nomination is consistent with the core principles of Slovenia's foreign policy, which advocates the rule of law, respect for human rights and the strengthening of multilateralism. In recent years, Slovenia has established itself as one of the more active states before the ICJ, as demonstrated by its interventions in proceedings concerning disputes between states and its participation in advisory opinion proceedings. Support for the nomination also indirectly reinforces Slovenia's reputation as a consistent advocate of international law and a country that recognises international justice as the foundation of lasting peace.

Since its establishment in 1945, the ICJ has dealt with more than 170 inter-state disputes and issued 30 advisory opinions. In recent years (2024-2025), the Court has faced a record number of new cases, reflecting the growing confidence among states in its independence and expertise. In its judgments and opinions, the ICJ addresses key issues of our time, including the prevention and punishment of genocide, the protection of human rights and the self-determination of peoples as well as global challenges such as climate change. Through its case law, the Court does not merely act as an adjudicator, but as an institution that promotes the peaceful settlement of disputes and offers states a credible alternative to the use of force, thereby directly fulfilling the fundamental criteria and the original purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Source: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs