Today, March 11, 2024, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in plenary session, elected Judge Tomoko Akane as President of the Court. Judge Rosario Salvador Aydala was elected as First Vice-President and Judge Raine Alabini-Canzo as Second Vice-President. Members of the Presidency shall be elected for a term of three years with immediate effect.
“I am extremely honored to have been elected by my fellow judges to serve as President of the International Criminal Court. The Court, in these difficult times, needs consistent, collective and unified leadership. I will focus on fostering dialogue between the Court's organs and defense and victims' representatives, and strengthen dialogue with States and States that have not yet ratified the Rome Statute. I will also give priority to the safety and well-being of court staff,” said Akane, the newly elected president of the ICC.
The Presidency, consisting of the President and two Vice-Presidents, plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole. The Presidency coordinates with other bodies and seeks the consent of the Advocate on matters of mutual interest. According to the Rome Statute and the Treaty Governing the ICC, the President is responsible for the proper administration of the Court, apart from the Office of the Prosecutor. The Presidency oversees the activities of the Registry and contributes to a wide range of administrative policies that affect the overall functioning of the Court. In addition, it conducts judicial review of certain decisions of the Registrar and concludes court-level cooperation agreements with states and international organizations.
