Do not write the obituary of international law yet, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Current global conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and West Asia have raised questions regarding the relevance and effectiveness of international law.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in July 2026 that international law is "under pressure — but it will prevail".
• States continue to invoke international legal principles such as the UN Charter, sovereignty, and self-defence to justify their actions.
• International law underpins daily global activities, including international aviation, maritime trade, diplomacy, and cross-border travel.
• Recent international agreements like the High Seas Treaty and efforts towards pandemic preparedness demonstrate continued reliance on international legal frameworks.
• The Indus Waters Treaty serves as an example of how legal frameworks can sustain engagement between states even during periods of political discord.

Detailed Insights:

• International law is premised on the idea that relations between states should be governed by rules and legal principles built on consensus, not merely by power.
• Compliance with international law often stems from the dynamics created within treaty regimes, rather than solely from the threat of sanctions.
• The significance of international law lies in providing a framework through which state conduct is assessed, disputes are addressed, and cooperation is sustained.
• Its "quiet accomplishments" are evident in the functioning of international aviation regulations, maritime law, and established diplomatic norms.
• International law directly affects individuals through the recognition of passports, consular assistance, international air travel, and the protection of refugees.
• It is indispensable for the Global South and developing states, offering an opportunity to protect and advance their interests through negotiations within a rules-based order.
• Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, cyber-attacks, and economic instability necessitate international cooperation based on agreed rules of conduct.
• While acknowledging imperfections and structural limitations, such as within the UN Security Council, these do not warrant abandoning the international legal system.
• Historically, crises have often prompted the adaptation and renewal of international law, rather than leading to its demise.

Key Concepts Involved:

• International Law: A body of rules and principles governing the relations between states and other international actors.
• UN Charter: The foundational treaty of the United Nations, outlining its purposes, principles, and organizational structure.
• Sovereignty: The supreme authority of a state over its territory and internal affairs, free from external control.
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL): A set of rules seeking to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
• Rules-based international order: A global system where states conduct their relations according to agreed-upon rules and norms, rather than power alone.