International Court of Justice

Letter from the President of the ICJ

Distinguished Advisors, Esteemed Guests, and Dear Participants,

It is with great honor and pleasure that I welcome you all to the 15th session of the International Court of Justice at TIMUN '24. This year, the ICJ at TIMUN returns as one of the most dynamic and intellectually engaging MUN committees with its keen participants.

For over three decades, TIMUN has provided a successful and memorable platform for globally-minded individuals to come together and address critical global issues. Accordingly, the ICJ serves as a forum where the set of judges attempts to settle the disputes between Member States under the principles of international law. The objective of the ICJ is to maintain an environment where all nations can uphold their sovereignty while coexisting peacefully.

In TIMUN '24, the ICJ invites sharp, inquisitive minds to dive into international relations and legal frameworks by deliberating on the Dispute over the Status and Use of the Waters of the Silala (Chile v. Bolivia).

In this case, the dispute revolves around the use of the waters of the Silala River. The central matter to be addressed is whether the Silala constitutes an international watercourse or whether Bolivia holds exclusive rights to the water as a sovereign resource. This contentious case is fundamentally about establishing the balance between sovereign rights and shared natural resources, which appears to offer a unique opportunity to explore maritime laws, environmental concerns, and the rights of states.

Throughout the conference, advocates will defend their Member States’ views with compelling pieces of evidence, while the judges will impartially evaluate both sides and eventually write a verdict. The deliberations and sessions will be intellectually stimulating as ICJ at TIMUN seeks to understand how international law can mediate between distinct national interests.

Once again, the ICJ at TIMUN welcomes its passionate judges, hardworking advocates, and experienced leadership for four days of fruitful discussions and deliberations.

It is my great honor to serve as the President of the ICJ at TIMUN 2024, and I look forward to working with each of you to bring this important case to life.

Cordially,

Zehra Desen Çelik

President of the ICJ