ICC judge Chang-ho Chung, Hague Project Peace and Justice Representative Ambassador Nora Stehouwer, ICC judge Tomoko Akane and ASP President O-Gon Kwon (left to right) discuss with students and young professionals from the Asia Pacific region at the ICC on 13 July 2018 ©ICC-CPI.
On 13 July 2018, the Asia-Pacific Forum of The Hague was launched at the seat of the International Criminal Court in The Hague (The Netherlands), bringing together high-level officials and staff from the Court, and students and young professionals from the region. The event was co-hosted by the ICC and The Hague Project Peace and Justice.
The event facilitated a dialogue about the Asia Pacific region’s engagement with and contribution to international criminal justice. It aimed to encourage students and young professionals from the region to consider a career in international criminal justice and at the ICC.
“In my capacity as President of the Assembly of States Parties, I have and will continue to reach out to many countries in the world, but particularly in my region of Asia-Pacific, hoping to include more States within the Rome Statute system, and thus fulfil the goal of universality,” said the President of the Assembly of States Parties, H.E. O-Gon Kwon.
“The economic development of the Asia-Pacific states would become truly meaningful only if it is followed by the development of the rule of law and human rights protection system. It is also important to actively participate in and contribute to the international effort to enhance the rule of law and human rights protection. And the International Criminal Court functions as the centre of such international effort,” said ICC Judge Chang-ho Chung.
Out of the 123 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 19 are Asia-Pacific States. It is expected that the Asia-Pacific Forum of The Hague will continue to lead initiatives towards the engagement of students and young professionals from the Asia Pacific region with international justice.
This Forum forms part of broader efforts to enhance global support for the Court and cooperation at the regional level. These have included the organization of or participation in high-level regional cooperation seminars and symposiums, technical events to enhance cooperation, and events with a focus on the legal profession.
