International Court of Justice to receive Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In the year marking its 80th anniversary, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will receive the 2026 Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize. The world's second-oldest peace prize will be presented to the Court at the Peace Palace in The Hague on 9 November 2026 in recognition of its contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes between States and its promotion of international law as a means of advancing peace and justice.

Laureate: The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. Its twofold role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States; and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. Of the six principal organs of the Organization, the ICJ is the only one not located in New York, as it is based at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Court is composed of fifteen judges, also known as Members of the Court, and is supported by a Registry. Since the start of its activity, 202 cases have been entered on the Court's General List. The Court currently has 24 cases on its docket.

Jury Report Carnegie Foundation

In its jury report, the Carnegie Foundation explains the reasons for awarding the Peace Prize to the International Court of Justice:

In a world marked by increasing geopolitical tensions and international conflicts, the International Court of Justice plays a vital role as a peaceful means of dispute settlement. By providing States with a judicial forum for the resolution of disputes, the Court contributes to the prevention of conflict escalation and to the promotion of international stability.
The International Court of Justice is distinguished by its authority and legitimacy, enjoying 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 matters of global significance, 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 facing increasing challenges, 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 progressive development of international law, the International Court of Justice plays a vital role in advancing a just and lasting peace. 

The Carnegie Foundation witnesses on a daily basis the increasing caseload 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 promotion 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 its Registry, H.E. Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, will receive the Peace Prize on Monday 9 November at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Peace Palace. The prize will be presented by Piet Hein Donner, Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation, Minister of State and former Vice-President of the Council of State of the Netherlands.

The award ceremony will take place during the High Level Forum - A Reaffirmed Commitment to Promoting, Hosting and Advancing Peace through Law, organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of The Hague and the Carnegie Foundation. The forum will bring together representatives of government, international institutions, academia, the diplomatic corps and other representatives from organisations to reflect on the vital role of international law in promoting peace, justice and stability, while reaffirming the shared commitment of the Netherlands and The Hague to Peace through Law.

Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize

The Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has been awarded in the Peace Palace since 1931. The Board of the Carnegie Foundation awards this prize to a person or institution promoting international peace through word or deed. The prize was established by the Dutch banker Johan Wateler and entrusted to the Carnegie Foundation. On 9 November 2026, the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize will be awarded for the 75th time.

Over the past 95 years, the Carnegie Wateler Peace Prize has been awarded to distinguished individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to peace, international cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Prominent laureates of the peace prize include Sir Eric Drummond (1931), the Hague Academy of International Law (1936 and 1949), Jean Monnet (1953), Dag Hammarskjöld Minnesfonds (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).

Exhibition Visitors Centre

To honour the work of the International Court of Justice and raise awareness of its jurisdiction and activities, the Visitors Centre of the Peace Palace will host a special exhibition on the ICJ. The exhibition will explore three themes: the Court's history, its procedures, and the architecture and symbolism of its courtroom, the Great Hall of Justice. The exhibition will be on display from the end of October 2026.

More information: www.peacepalace.org/peaceprize