This site uses technical, analytics and third-party cookies.
By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies.

Preferences cookies

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY CHAIR, AMBASSADOR SEBASTIANO CARDI, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ITALY TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTE AND COORDINATOR OF THE NEW YORK WORKING GROUP OF THE ASSEMBLY (February 4, 2015)

Since this is our first meeting as NY WG in 2015, but also the first meeting in the new term of office of the Bureau of the ASP under a new President of the Assembly, President Kaba of Senegal, and clearly also for me as Vice President of the ASP and coordinator of the NY Working Group, allow me to say just a few words as an introduction.

First of all I have accepted this task out of respect for Minister Kaba and friendship for Senegal and for Africa. We are honoured to serve the cause of international criminal justice and of the Rome Statute system under the leadership of the first African President of the Assembly of States Parties.

I understand the President intends to come to New York soon and as soon as we have precise information on the date we will organize the relevant meetings, a Bureau meeting in NY, but of course also an opportunity for him to meet with the entire NY WG.  

Let me also thank the outgoing President, Amb. Intelmann, and the Bureau members for the good work they have done, as well as the Secretariat for their support; and in particular here in New York the Assistants of the President and the ICC Liaison Office.

We are committed to continue in the process of supporting the Court at the United Nations, and of furthering the reflection on ways to improve the efficiency of the ASP. As new members of the Bureau, we will be in need of your constant support and will turn to you for advice; at the same time please know that our door is always open.

There are a few messages that to my mind are absolutely key for States Parties to keep raising in New York: focus and attention for the victims of international crimes, re-launch the universality of the system, including with specific focus on some region, for example in Asia where more ratification could be possible; increase our work for positive complementarity; strengthen the unity of the ASP behind the Court, improve the cooperation of States and of the UN with the Court, and in this regard keep pressing on the Security Council to work constructively with the Court and the ASP, including in the area of cooperation.

This is something that can only be done standing united: Identifying reasons for coming together instead of delving into issues of division. Not that those should be set aside, but they should be tackled through continuing dialogue and engagement towards the main common objectives.

On 17 July 2014 Italy, as President of the EU, together with the ASP President Intelmann, held a “celebration” of International Criminal Justice Day at the UN with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the President of the ASP, the President of the ICC judge Song, the Legal Counsel de Serpa Soares. The aim of that meeting was precisely to strengthen the reasons of unity against messages of division. We owe it to the many victims around the world.

The Working Groups should be the place were constructive discussion continues to occur in order to increase support for the Court and improve the system, knowing that we must avoid falling into micromanagement. A temptation that is not always easy.  The Working Groups should also a space of sharing of information and of views, and a place where we strengthen our activities mainstreaming the support to the Court at the United Nations.