Post–Advisory Opinion Workshop on the ICJ Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change

WHAT: The African Union Commission (Office of the Legal Counsel) will host a Post Advisory Opinion Workshop on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change.

WHEN: Monday, 03 November 2025

TIME: Starting from 9H00am (EAT)

WHERE: Small Conference Room 1 (NCC constructing), African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

FORMAT: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual)

OBJECTIVES:

1. This high-level workshop will unpack the ICJ’s landmark Advisory Opinion on local weather change, delivered on 23 July 2025, which defines the binding obligations of States underneath worldwide regulation to guard the local weather system for current and future generations.

2. Building on the African Union’s energetic participation within the proceedings, the occasion will:
• Present the AU Assessment Report summarizing the Opinion’s key findings and implications for Africa.
• Facilitate direct exchanges amongst AU Member States, Permanent Representatives, the related AUC Departments, AU Organs, RECs, and exterior authorized specialists on translating the Advisory Opinion into concrete worldwide, regional, and nationwide actions.
• Identify precedence authorized, coverage, and institutional measures to strengthen Africa’s coordinated response to local weather change and improve its collective voice in world local weather negotiations.

Expected Outcomes
1. Enhanced understanding of the ICJ Opinion and its relevance to Africa’s local weather and human rights agenda.
2. Practical suggestions for nationwide implementation, regional cooperation, and world advocacy.
3. A roadmap for integrating authorized obligations into AU and Member State local weather frameworks.

Participants

The workshop will deliver collectively:
1. Officials from AU Member States’ Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs,

Environment, and Climate Change;
2. Representatives of AU Organs, Judicial, Human Rights, and Legal Bodies;
3. Regional Economic Communities (RECs);
4. External authorized specialists and counsels concerned within the ICJ proceedings.

Media representatives are invited to cowl the opening session and chosen segments of the workshop on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change

For media inquiries, please contact:
1. Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalOk@africanunion.org
2. Mr. Olatoundji Francis Adanlao | Legal Officer | Office of the Legal Counsel | E-mail: Adanlaoo@africanunion.org
3. Ms. Meseret Fassil Assefa | Associate Legal Officer | Office of the Legal Counsel | E-mail: Meseretf@africanunion.org