Date & Time
11:00am, 14 October 2025 - 12:30am, 14 October 2025Location
About the event
In July 2025, the International Court of Justice made history by affirming that climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a matter of justice, rights, and international law. The ruling makes clear that governments and corporations have binding obligations to prevent harm, protect human rights, and act in solidarity—or face consequences under international law.
With COP30 in Brazil approaching, the ‘implementation COP’ where states must deliver stronger commitments and a transformative finance package, this opinion is a powerful tool for climate-vulnerable nations and civil society to demand accountability and equity on the global stage.
Join us for Holding Power to Account: Climate Justice in the Wake of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.
This Critical Conversation will bring together civil society leaders, community voices, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth to reflect on the ICJ’s landmark ruling. Together, we will harness the momentum of the ruling, amplify the perspectives of climate-impacted states and communities, and explore how these principles can be turned into real action in the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil.
Some of the key questions this event will explore include:
- How can the ruling be used to urge states to raise their ambition and strengthen international commitments at COP30?
- How can civil society and climate-impacted countries proactively anticipate and counter resistance from polluting states and corporations to turn the opinion into effective action?
- What should Commonwealth civil society and policymakers prioritise over the next 12 months to ensure the ruling delivers tangible justice for vulnerable communities?
Don’t miss out — register now to be part of this pivotal event and help shape the road to COP30.
Guests
Myra Anubi is an award-winning solutions journalist and broadcaster who presents People Fixing the World on the BBC World Service. Her work spotlights innovation and resilience as she engages global audiences with stories that inspire change.
She started her career in Kenya as a radio presenter and programme coordinator before working across East and Southern Africa with organisations like Deutsche Welle. In 2019, she founded Ask Mama, a social enterprise to help young women and mothers in western Kenya access quality maternal healthcare information.
Since moving to the UK in 2020, Myra has worked with The Times and Spotify. She has also become a trusted moderator, host, and panellist for organisations including the Royal Academy of Engineering, One World Media, Ashden, the Kenya High Commission and more. Myra has moderated events attended by former Prime Minister Theresa May, and in 2023 she also met King Charles at Buckingham Palace, where they discussed global changemakers.
At the heart of Myra’s work is a deep commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and telling stories that inspire meaningful action.
Manasa Venkatachalam is an independent legal consultant based in Amsterdam. She is an Indian-trained lawyer with a background in public international law, with a strong focus on climate justice and human rights.
For over two years, she has worked with Blue Ocean Law to advise the Republic of Vanuatu, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in the Climate Change Advisory Opinion proceedings at the International Court of Justice. Ever since, Manasa has worked with civil society, academia, and countries on various aspects of climate justice and litigation at the domestic and international level, with a significant focus on the strategic implementation of the Advisory Opinion.
Manasa holds an Advanced Master’s Degree in Public International Law (Specialization in Peace, Justice, and Development) from Leiden University (cum laude) and a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from Gujarat National Law University, India.
Vishal is the Director of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change and has been part of the ICJ AO campaign for the last 6 years culminating in the historic advisory opinion. He is from Fiji and has a background in International Politics.
Ralph Regenvanu is Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management, and is currently serving his sixth term as the Member of Parliament for Vanuatu’s capital and largest city Port Vila. Ralph has a background in cultural heritage management, and served as Director of the National Museum of Vanuatu from 1995 until 2006, during which time he was also a founding Board Member of both the Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA) and the regional cultural sites preservation organization, ICOMOS Pasifika. As Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister in 2019, Ralph initiated Vanuatu’s push for an International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on climate obligations, and as Climate Change Minister in 2022 signed Vanuatu up as one of the first state champions of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. His leadership ensures that Vanuatu continues to be a strong voice in global climate and environmental negotiations, reinforcing the urgent need for ambitious action to protect vulnerable small island states. Ralph is currently the Pacific Ministerial Champion for Loss and Damage leading into COP30.
Vepaiamele is a 16-year-old student, avid writer, and an advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Vepaia is also a passionate climate campaigner who aims to amplify the voices of frontline communities and demographic groups, specifically children, in the call for climate justice. In December of 2024, Vepaia travelled to the Hague, the Netherlands, as a NextGen Youth Ambassador with Save the Children to witness the ICJ Advisory Opinion oral hearings. There, she was involved in media engagement and various events to represent the youth of Vanuatu and the Pacific, in the fight against the climate crisis.
Photo: Tom Maguire, Save the Children
Mia Kami is a Tongan storyteller, using music as a way to elevate Pacific stories. She believes that art is the strongest form of traditional storytelling that connects Pacific and indigenous people to their ancestors & their descendants.
Mia is passionate about climate justice, ocean conservation, community development and youth work.
Discussion
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