The Hague, 7 October 2026 — The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, will receive the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize on 9 November 2026. The second-oldest peace prize in the world recognises the Court’s significant contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes between states and its role in promoting international law as a foundation for peace and justice.
Laureate: The International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established under the Charter of the United Nations in 1945, the Court began its work in April 1946. It has two principal functions: to settle legal disputes between states in accordance with international law and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.
Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, the ICJ is the only one based outside New York. Its seat is the Peace Palace in The Hague. The Court comprises 15 judges, also known as members of the Court, and is supported by its Registry. Since its establishment, 202 cases have been entered on the Court’s General List. It is currently handling 24 cases.
Carnegie Foundation Jury Report
In its jury report, the Carnegie Foundation explains the reasons for awarding the Peace Prize to the International Court of Justice:
In a world characterised by increasing geopolitical tensions and international conflicts, the International Court of Justice plays an essential role as a peaceful instrument for the settlement of disputes. By offering states a judicial forum for the resolution of disputes, the Court contributes to preventing the escalation of conflicts and promoting international stability. The International Court of Justice distinguishes itself by its authority and legitimacy and enjoys broad recognition among states worldwide.
In addition, the Court fulfils an important normative function. Through its advisory opinions, it provides authoritative interpretations of international law on issues of global importance, including self-determination, international humanitarian law, and the responsibilities of states.
The 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice marks not only a historic milestone but also underscores the enduring importance of the rule of law in international relations. At a time when multilateralism is increasingly under pressure, the Court remains a stable and authoritative pillar of the international legal order. Through its unique combination of judicial authority, peaceful dispute settlement, and contribution to the development of international law, the International Court of Justice plays an essential role in promoting a just and lasting peace.
The Carnegie Foundation witnesses daily the increasing workload of the Court and the challenges it faces in carrying out its mandate. By awarding the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize to the International Court of Justice, the Carnegie Foundation wishes to recognise and honour the achievements of the members of the Court, as well as the indispensable contributions of the Registry and its staff to the advancement of international justice and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Award Ceremony and High-Level Forum
On behalf of the members of the International Court of Justice and the Registry, H.E. Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, will receive the prize on Monday, 9 November, at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Peace Palace. The award will be presented by Piet Hein Donner, Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation, Minister of State, and former Vice-President of the Council of State.
The ceremony will take place during the High-Level Forum, A Reaffirmed Commitment to Promoting, Hosting and Advancing Peace through Law, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Municipality of The Hague, and the Carnegie Foundation.
The forum will bring together representatives of governments, international institutions, academia, the diplomatic corps, and other organisations to reflect on the essential role of international law in promoting peace, justice, and stability. It will also reaffirm the shared commitment of the Netherlands and The Hague to the principle of Peace through Law.
Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize
The Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has been presented at the Peace Palace since 1931. The Carnegie Foundation awards the prize to an individual or institution that contributes to international peace through words or deeds. It was established by Dutch banker Johan Wateler, who entrusted the prize to the Carnegie Foundation. On 9 November 2026, the prize will be awarded for the 75th time.
Over the past 95 years, the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has recognised prominent individuals and institutions for their contributions to peace, international cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Notable laureates include Sir Eric Drummond (1931), The Hague Academy of International Law (1936 and 1949), Jean Monnet (1953), the Dag Hammarskjöld Minnes Fund (1962), Coretta Scott King (1969), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (1998), Javier Solana (2006), War Child (2012), Lakhdar Brahimi (2014), and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2022).
