Section 6. United Nations and its specialized agencies

6.9. World Meteorological Organization

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It was established in 1950. It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans.

WMO Activities in 2024

The 78th session of the WMO Executive Council was held. It adopted the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) road map and Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and scaled up action on the cryosphere (ice and snow) in the face of dramatic changes. Nine resolutions on the WMO Earth system observation and prediction were also approved (June 10-14, Geneva).

WMO: (1) updated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Observatory to further strengthen meteorological co-operation (March 28); (2) launched the Energy and Meteorology portal, a platform providing weather, water, and climate information to support the energy sector's transition to net zero (April); (3) conducted a two-day international training for forecasters on satellite meteorological data and applications in Al-Farabi KazNU (September 18); (4) joined the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, which aims to strengthen global efforts to address misinformation and disinformation, particularly in critical areas like climate change (November 20); (5) launched the Severe Weather Forecasting Program-Central America, the first SWFP regional subprogram to be implemented in Latin America, to strengthen the capacities of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama to provide improved forecasts and early warning services for heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, strong winds, high waves and heat intensity (December 20).

The Meteorological Training Centre for Belt and Road Countries was established, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the capabilities of meteorological professionals in the B&R regions and promoting future meteorological co-operation and development (December 3).

Публикации ВМО. 73rd WMO Bulletin; publication series on state of the climate in different parts of the world. For other publications. For other publications, please, see library.wmo.int.

Source: WMO

6.10. International Fund for Agricultural Development

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a multilateral financial institution established in 1977. It mobilizes resources to eliminate malnutrition and improve agricultural productivity and incomes for rural poor in developing countries. It provides direct financing in the form of loans and grants, attracts additional resources to implement projects and programs. Currently it has a number of ongoing projects in Central Asia.

IFAD Activities in 2024

Kyrgyzstan

IFAD has invested $129 million in rural development in Kyrgyzstan since 1993. In August, the new Country Strategic Opportunities Program for 2025-2030 was presented. Three main objectives were identified: (1) increase smallholder productivity and incomes from agriculture with a focus on livestock; (2) support sustainable natural resource management and enhance smallholders’ resilience to climate change; (3) improve rural livelihoods through value addition and income diversification.

The “Access to Markets” project was completed (2016-2024, IFAD financing – $21.17 million). Project results: over 90,700 beneficiaries from 17,164 households, 2 veterinary laboratories were upgraded, more than 1,666 private veterinarians were trained, 260 artificial insemination stations were established, 144 farmers' groups were formed, and 142 grant proposals were developed to provide cooperatives with essential machinery, infrastructure, and high-quality inputs. While the project significantly enhanced livestock production and market access, it fell short of its 55% target, partly due to external factors like adverse weather and climate issues. For details, see here.

As part of the Pastoral Communities project ($31.28 million, 2021-2026), IFAD allocated $9.2 million in grants to support farmers. This nationally scaled project supports vulnerable rural households that depend on grazing lands and forests for their livelihoods.

Tajikistan

The total amount of IFAD funding in Tajikistan is $115.16 million. The organization's activities are based on the program titled “Strategic Opportunities of the Country for 2019-2024”. The Program is aimed at reducing rural poverty and strengthening national food security in rural areas of Tajikistan. This is to be addressed under two strategic goals: (1) promoting inclusive agriculture-based economic growth in poor rural communities; and (2) increasing the resilience of smallholder producers to climate change.

The “Community-based Agricultural Support Project 'plus'” is continued (2021-2030, IFAD financing – $37.85 million). The project aims to increase resilience of ecosystems and adaptation of livelihoods in rural areas affected by climate change, for an estimated 100,000 rural households (650,000 individuals) in 21 of the most climate vulnerable districts of the country. The 2024 results: 400 villages were selected; the Project Steering Committee was established and its 1st meeting was held (December 25); about 80% of the overall expenditures were related to works, goods, equipment and services category, 12% to operating costs, 4% to technical assistance and studies, and 3% to training, workshops and travel costs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan held a meeting with the IFAD President Mr. Alvaro Lario, where they discussed the implementation of government strategies and programs of the Republic of Tajikistan in the area of agriculture and food security, as well as preparations for the 3rd Dushanbe Water Conference (May 30, Rome, Italy).

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan joined IFAD in 2011. The total IFAD funding in Uzbekistan amounts to $435.5 million. IFAD in its activities in Uzbekistan is guided by the Country strategic opportunities program 2023-2027, aimed to sustainably increase rural prosperity and improve livelihoods of small-scale producers. Three strategic objectives underpin the program: (1) increased resilience and productivity of small-scale producers; (2) improved access for small-scale producers to viable food systems and agricultural markets; (3) enhanced enabling environment for inclusive rural transformation.

On September 15, IFAD opened its new office in Uzbekistan.

Preparations were discussed for the launch of a joint project aimed at reducing poverty in rural areas by improving climate services in agriculture, increasing sustainability, and increasing income and economic growth in rural communities. Following the talks, the parties agreed to continue active cooperation within the framework of the joint project and discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation and expand the project portfolio (December 4, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

IFAD provided a $2.5 million loan to Hamkorbank and 1,500 low-income dairy and horticulture producers will be able to access micro-loans to increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods.

The Agriculture Diversification and Modernization project (2017-2025, IFAD financing – $93.5 million) is implemented in Andizhan, Fergana and Namangan provinces of Uzbekistan. Target groups include rural low-income households, small private horticulture and livestock farmers. Special attention is paid to ensure the participation of women-headed Dekhan and private farming households as well as rural youth. As part of the project: (1) seminars and trainings were organized on improving business capacities of the population, value chains, exports and imports, and the correct use of laboratory equipment for plant quarantine; (2) a laboratory was established and equipped with the latest high-precision equipment, reagents and laboratory utensils in Ferghana; (3) veterinary clinics were built and equipped in the Fergana Valley.

Source: IFAD

6.11. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It coordinates international cooperation in these areas. Established in 1945, it includes 193 member-states. UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the SDGs defined in the 2030 Agenda. Key areas of activity include the following five program sectors: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information.

UNESCO Activities in 2024

UNESCO is promoting two concrete tools for its Member States and educational communities around the world: (1) UNESCO’s new Greening Curriculum Guidance - a practical manual providing, for the first time, a common understanding of what climate education should consist of and how countries can mainstream environmental topics across curricula, with detailed expected learning outcomes according to age group (from 5-year-olds to 18+); (2) UNESCO’s new Green School Quality Standard, which sets the minimum requirements on how to create a “green school” by promoting an action-oriented approach. It recommends that all schools set up green governance committees including students, teachers and parents to oversee sustainable management. It also calls to encourage teacher training, conduct audits of energy, water, food and waste audits, while also calling for stronger ties with the wider community to help students address environmental issues at local level.

UNESCO launched: (1) jointly with the Brazilian Government and UN the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change to fight the climate-related disinformation (November 19); (2) International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) – a global and coordinated initiative designed to harness the power of all of the sciences – basic, applied, social and human – to advance sustainable change to our societies, economies and environment (December 2).

Publications. (1) State of the Cryosphere Report; (2) UN World Water Development Report 2024: water for prosperity and peace (See 6.5); (3) State of the ocean report, 2024.

UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty

UNESCO Chairs in Central Asia promote innovative education for Sustainable Development. The III Winter PR School at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University included a conference on the Model of Innovative Education to discuss prospects for cooperation in identifying innovative methods for teaching the issues related to sustainable development (February 26).

In Kyrgyzstan, UNESCO supported two summer schools on (1) rockslides in the Kokomeren River basin that allowed participants to deepen their understanding of the geological and tectonic processes shaping the region (August 10-25); (2) geoheritage, geology, and climatology that offered a comprehensive study of the region’s landscapes, introducing participants to fields such as sedimentology, paleontology, stratigraphy, and paleoclimatology (August 15-28).

UNESCO in cooperation with the Central Asian Alliance for Climate Change Education (TsAKO): (1) launched the Climate Change Education Ambition in Central Asia. Within the ambition, the Regional Climate Change Education Ambition Report has been developed for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The report synthesis a regional perspective on current cooperation around climate change, areas of complementarity, emerging trends, and potential areas for joint action; (2) held the meeting of the TsAKO to develop a strategy for promoting the climate education agenda based on a regional study of climate education ambitions in Central Asian countries (June 3-4).

Projects. Activities under the “Strengthening the Resilience of Central Asian Countries by Enabling Regional Cooperation to Assess High Altitude Glacio-nival Systems to Develop Integrated Methods for Sustainable Development and Adaptation to Climate Change” project include: (1) a workshop on strengthening resilience of Central Asian countries, where the first step in the preparation of the National Adaptation Plans and Strategic Action Program was made. Participants identified the regional priorities related to the cryosphere (April 3-4, Almaty); (2) a series of the national workshops to contextualize each country’s status and perspectives on the cryosphere, water resources, and climate change (May-June); (3) a national workshop in Turkmenistan, where local specialists presented the status of the cryosphere in other Central Asian, discussed key challenges in monitoring and research, and proposed solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change on the cryosphere in Turkmenistan (October 8-9, Ashgabat); (4) a subregional workshop focused on advancing the Diagnostic Analysis development for the Central Asian cryosphere under the impacts of climate change. Countries discussed how key components of the cryosphere impact water resources, ecosystems, and regional economies (November 4-5, Almaty).

Activities under the “Reducing vulnerabilities of populations in Central Asia from glacier lake outburst floods in a changing climate” project include: (1) the 3rd regional exchange workshop, which served as a crucial platform for sharing experiences, enhancing regional cooperation, and discussing innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of GLOFs on vulnerable communities and infrastructure in Central Asia (March 6-7, Almaty); 2) a field visit to the Baralmos Glacier and its associated lakes to assess risks, introduce new monitoring equipment and enhance local scientific capacity (August 19-30, Tajikistan); (3) presentation of the research findings on “Modelling and evaluating GLOF risk management measures in the Kyrgyz Ala-Archa valley”, including the analysis of the effectiveness and cost-benefit of five potential GLOF DRM measures (August, Vienna); (4) a seminar “Glacier Lake Outburst Flood Early Warning Systems: technical design, instrumentation and communication” (October 22-24, Almaty); (5) project team visit to schools in Pskem and Tepar to conduct interactive disaster preparedness lessons and install automated meteorological stations (October 28-29, Uzbekistan); (6) seminars in Issyk and Talgar to improve local awareness and preparedness for GLOFs (November 21 and 26, Kazakhstan).

Source: UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, UNESCO

6.12. Food and Agriculture Organization

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945. FAO's work globally and in the Europe and Central Asia region is guided by the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031. FAO's Strategic Framework seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

FAO Activities in 2024

The “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-prone and Salinity-Affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2) project has been successfully implemented. It provided essential support to countries severely affected by desertification and salinization, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The final workshop, held in Bukhara, focused on evaluating the project’s impact on land and water management, and on exploring opportunities to scale up the results for enhanced regional cooperation in combating desertification, land degradation, and food security threats.

Kazakhstan

Ongoing projects: (1) Preparation of the UTF project on plant breeding and seed production under FAO Kazakhstan Partnership Program ($100,000; 2024-2026); (2) Developing the Concept on food security and sustainable food systems ($97,000; 2024-2025); (3) Elaboration of the long-term sectoral program for the development of dairy farming ($55,000; 2024-2025); (4) Technical support to conduct the National Agricultural Census ($50,000; 2024-2025); (5) Transforming Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kazakhstan to Ensure Environmental Sustainability ($100,000; 2024-2025); (6) Contribution to development and further scaling up of healthy nutrition ($465,000; 2023-2025); (7) SLM and restoration of degraded lands mainstreaming biodiversity in Southern region of Kazakhstan ($150,000; 2024-2025); (8) Kazakhstan Resilient Agroforestry and Rangeland ($1.9 million; 2023-2027).

As part of the: (1) JICA-financed “Improved locust management” project, a training on locust monitoring and information management for the State Inspection Committee in the Agricultural Sector of the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture (April 1-5, Astana) and the 8th meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture of Central Asia (June 7, online) were organized; (2) “Integrated natural resource management for improved ecosystem conservation and biodiversity preservation” project, which will promote multiple-land use practices for biodiversity conservation outside protected areas, a national inception workshop was held (June 18, Astana); (3) “Supporting investments in smallholders inclusive agrifood value chain development in Kazakhstan” project, a workshop was held with two sessions on “Investments in Community-Driven Rural Development” and “Financing Smallholders for Agribusiness and Rural Development” (June 26, online).

As part of the CACILM-2 project, FAO specialists conducted a series of training sessions across multiple villages in the Kyzylorda region, including Shieli, Zhalagash, Kazaly districts, and Kyzylorda city. Discussions emphasized crop diversification and the introduction of summer and winter crops to enhance resilience to climate change and address forage gaps. Additionally, the seminars highlighted the importance of afforestation with native species on saline marginal lands, which can provide valuable products while helping to lower elevated groundwater tables through bio-drainage (June 11-26).

КKyrgyzstan

Ongoing projects: (1) Supporting the capacity development of official controls and food producers on food control and food safety management systems ($40,000; 2024-2026); (2) Enhancing the financial and investment awareness among farmers and national financial institutions ($40,000; 2024-2025); (3) Assistance to the National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic in preparing for the agricultural census ($30,000; 2024-2025); (4) Strengthening capacities of Public and Private Sector for regulation, certification and marketing of organic products ($300,000; 2022-2024); (5) Integrated Water Resources Management for Agroforestry Restoration in the Syr Darya River Basin ($150,000; 2024-2025).

As part of the (1) “Carbon Sequestration through climate investment in forests and rangelands” project ($30 million, 2022-2030), the 3rd meeting of the National Project Steering Committee was held (July 25, Kazarman village); a five-day educational trip was organized to the Republic of Turkey to learn sustainable practices for restoring pastures, methods for preventing forest fires, reforestation, and restoration of degraded lands (November 11-16); (2) JICA-financed “Improved locust management” project, a five-day training session on locust monitoring and information management was held with field practice, during which the use of survey equipment and tools was demonstrated as well as the filling out the ASDC standard locust survey form on tablets and smartphones (March 25-29, Bishkek); a ceremony was held to hand over advanced computer equipment and cameras to the Department of Chemical Plant Protection and Quarantine of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic (May 10); (3) “Digitalization of the methodology for assessing damage and losses for the agricultural sector in Kyrgyzstan” project, two trainings took place on applying the damage and loss assessment methodology in the agricultural sector of Kyrgyzstan using the e-DLA (July 30-August 2, Bishkek, Bokonbaevo village).

Tajikistan

Ongoing projects: (1) Strengthening the capacity for digitalization of the agriculture machinery registration system ($90,000; 2024-2025); (2) Assisting in conducting the agricultural census in Tajikistan ($22,000; 2024-2025); (3) Formulation of a GCF project on Afforestation, Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Conservation for GHG reductions ($92,000; 2024-2025); (4) Strengthening the capacity of Committee of Food Security on development of a new Food security program for 2024-2028 ($85,000; 2024-2025); (5) Support in production and consumption of nutritious local species and herbs ($40,000; 2024-2025); (6) Support of value chain strengthening in rural areas ($352,000; 2023-2025); (7) Support to export increase of agri-food products through green development and enhanced market access ($88,000; 2022-2024); (8) Cooperative development and strengthening of rural institutions under the Agrarian Reform Program ($96,000; 2022-2025); (9) Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector ($2.4 million; 2022-2026); (10) Strengthening the capacity of the Republic of Tajikistan to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement ($1.3 million; 2023-2026); (11) Facilitating agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use to promote food and nutritional resilience in Tajikistan ($1.7 million; 2022-2025).

FAO and the Tajik MA held the 1st National Forum of Cooperatives in Tajikistan (March 12-13).

As part of the second phase of the regional “Improvement of locust management” project, FAO: (1) held a training session on locust monitoring and information management and reduced negative impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment (February 26-March, Bokhtar); (2) handed over 10 kg of the biopesticide to project’s direct beneficiary organization – the State Entity “Locust Control Expedition”, along with 20 protected tablets and accessories for field data collection. This will enable the first-ever national demonstration trial against the Moroccan locust in Tajikistan. (April 1); (3) donated to the State Entity and other relevant institutions copies of the recently published monograph “Moroccan Locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg, 1815): morphology, distribution, ecology, population management” to help learn more about the problem.

Turkmenistan

Ongoing projects: (1) Support to Strengthening National Crop Monitoring through Remote Sensing Technology ($200,000; 2024-2026); (2) Establishing a national strategy for the National Animal Identification and Traceability System ($100,000; 2024-2025); (3) Support to the establishment of digital Land Cadaster ($300,000; 2023-2024); (4) Development of aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity ($120,000; 2023-2025); (5) Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management ($100,000;, 2023-2025); (6) Enhancing Capacities for Climate-Resilient Water Management ($150,000; 2023-2025); (7) Catalyzing Nature-Positive transformation of agriculture in Turkmenistan for enhanced resilience ($150,000; 2024-2025); (8) Improving the capacity of Turkmenistan to access climate finance through capacity building and strategic frameworks ($642,825; 2023-2025); (9) Strengthening the capacity of Turkmenistan to comply with the Enhanced Transparency Framework under the Paris Agreement ($50,000; 2023-2024).

As part of the “Strengthening Regional Collaboration and National Capacities for Management of Wheat Rust Diseases” project, FAO and Turkmenistan concluded a two-day workshop focused on developing a National Strategy and Contingency Plan for the prevention and management of wheat rust diseases in Turkmenistan (July 23-24, Ashgabat).

Uzbekistan

Ongoing projects: (1) Food control system assessment to strengthen food safety and facilitate trade ($140,000; 2024-2026); (2) Support to the revision of the Land Code ($125,000; 2024-2026); (3) Support for development of the Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization Strategy ($140,000; 2023-2025); (4) Support to enhance food security and nutrition through piloting School Meal Program ($240,000; 2024-2025); (5) Implementation of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in Uzbekistan ($100,000; 2024-2025); (6) Integrated NRM for Improved Ecosystem Conservation and Biodiversity Preservation ($150,000; 2024-2025); (7) Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals ($4.3 million; 2023-2027); (8) Food System, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program in Uzbekistan ($6 million; 2022-2026); (9) Capacity-building to establish an integrated and enhanced transparency framework in Uzbekistan to track the national climate actions and support measures received ($1.3 million, 2022-2025); (10) Sustainable management of forests in Mountain and Valley areas in Uzbekistan ($3.2 million; 2018-2025).

As part of the (1) “Building Knowledge and Skills of Local Partners and Communities to Address Environmental Insecurities through Innovative Air, Land, and Water Management Solutions in the Aral Sea Region” project ($250,000; 2024-2025), an agreement was signed between FAO and the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers to develop the “Ecosystem Restoration Guidelines for the Aral Sea Region: Integrating UN Decade, FAO Solutions, and Native Tree Species Conservation”; (2) “Sustainable Management of Forests and Rangelands in Dryland Ecosystems of Uzbekistan” ($3.8 million; 2022-2026) project, a draft Strategy was designed to integrate gender approaches into agricultural development.ов в сельском хозяйстве.

FAO, Uzbek MEEPCC and IUCN signed the Letter of Intent during the high-level plenary session “Nature Knows No Borders: Working Together for Migratory Species and Sustainable Development in Central Asia” as part of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (February 11, Samarkand).

FAO and its Global Soil Partnership GSP, in collaboration with the Uzbek MA and a number of partners, held an introductory seminar on the launch of the “Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL)” initiative in Uzbekistan (February, Tashkent).

Uzbekistan joined the Global Soil Doctors Program to train a hundred champion farmers from Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Khorezm and other provinces, who will, in turn, impart their knowledge to more farmers across Uzbekistan.

Source: FAO

6.13. International Law Commission

The International Law Committee (ILC) is a subsidiary body of UNGA, consisting of thirty-four members of recognized competence in international law, who sit in their individual capacity and not as representatives of their governments. The task of ILC is encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification. It was established in 1947. The Commission has no representatives of the Central Asian states in its composition.

During the 75th session of ILC in 2024, reports were presented on the following topics: succession of States in respect of State responsibility, general principles of law, sea-level rise in relation to international law, settlement of disputes to which international organizations are parties, prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea, and other issues.

With respect to the topic “Sea-level rise in relation to international law”, the Commission reconstituted the Study Group. It presented the additional paper (A/CN.4/774), which addressed statehood and the protection of persons affected by sea-level rise, supported the continuity of statehood, discussed various bases for the continuity of statehood, including the right of States to preserve their existence.

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the ILC. Due to the liquidity crisis facing the UN, the Commission’s session was reduced from 12 to 10 weeks. Therefore, the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary was held in a reduced format: an event organized with the assistance of the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (May 24); a commemorative seminar organized by the Rashtriya Raksha University with the assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs of India (February 29-March 1, India); a conference entitled “Unlocking opportunities: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and dry port development in landlocked developing countries” organized by the MFA of Mongolia (March 25-26).

Source: 2024 ILC Report

6.14. International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It was established in 1945. It delivers judicial and advisory functions. No judges from Central Asia sit in the International Court. Cases submitted to the Court involve a wide variety of subject matters: territorial and maritime disputes; consular rights; human rights; environmental damage and conservation of living resources; international responsibility and compensation for harm; the immunities of States, their representatives and assets; interpretation and application of international treaties and conventions.

As of July 31, the Court's list of cases included one case directly related to water disputes – the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros project (Hungary/Slovakia). For the nature of the case and proceedings on Gabcikovo-Nagymaros project (Hungary/Slovakia), see the ICJ report.

In December, the public hearings concluded on the request for an advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (A/RES/77/276). States and international organizations presented 91 written statements to the Secretariat. During the hearings, 96 States and 11 international organizations presented oral statements. The Court will begin its deliberation. The Court’s advisory opinion will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced in due course.

Source: Report of the International Court of Justice to the UNGA 79th Session, 2024, ICJ Press releases