Kuwait has reaffirmed its support for Judge Mahmoud Al-Hamoud's role at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), highlighting his extensive legal expertise and contributions to international jurisprudence. The remarks were delivered by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tareq Al-Bannai, during a panel discussion held at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission headquarters in New York on June 27.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Jordan and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Arab League to the United Nations, was titled “Does International Law Constitute a Complete Legal System? Questioning the Concept of Non-Denial.” It focused on key challenges and evolving questions within international legal principles.

Ambassador Al-Bannai emphasized Judge Al-Hamoud’s decades-long experience in both legal practice and diplomatic service as a significant asset to the ICJ. He noted that Al-Hamoud’s election to the court in 2025 stands as a testament to the international community’s confidence in his professional qualifications and legal acumen. The ambassador also underscored the importance of Al-Hamoud’s presence on the ICJ bench for ensuring representation of Arab legal traditions within the United Nations’ principal judicial body.

Reviewing Al-Hamoud’s career, Ambassador Al-Bannai highlighted his tenure as Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, his leadership as Chair of the UN International Law Commission, and his legal representation of Jordan in several prominent cases before the ICJ and other international tribunals. These experiences have, according to the ambassador, equipped him to contribute meaningfully to the global rule of law and the peaceful resolution of interstate disputes.

In concluding his remarks, Ambassador Al-Bannai stressed that the symposium offered a timely forum for addressing contemporary challenges facing international law amid a fractured geopolitical environment. He called for an unwavering commitment to the UN Charter, international law, and multilateral legal mechanisms as essential frameworks for resolving disputes peacefully and avoiding unilateral actions.

The panel discussion and Kuwait’s renewed endorsement of Judge Al-Hamoud reflect ongoing efforts by Arab states to engage actively with international legal institutions and promote inclusive representation within global governance structures.