News and insights
Omnia continues its support for Albania in International Court of Justice climate change proceedings.
16th August 2024
Omnia Strategy is privileged to continue to support pro bono the Government of Albania as it maintains its engagement and clear, principled advocacy in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory proceedings on States’ obligations in respect of climate change.
Having assisted in the preparation of Albania’s written statement, submitted on 22 March 2024 (see our earlier update here), Omnia has now advised and represented the Government in respect of its second round of written pleadings, delivered yesterday, 15 August 2024.
The ICJ proceedings allow States to contribute further written comments in light of the written statements filed by fellow States and international organisations. Albania’s written comments in this second round demonstrate the Government’s clear-sightedness and confidence in its prior submission. They highlight various areas of common ground with numerous other participants and challenge positions expressed by some other States where not fully aligned with Albania’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting environmental justice as a matter of urgency.
During a summer in which wildfires have wreaked untold damage across the Balkans, causing devastation in Albania and threatening Athens to the south, the importance of these proceedings has never been more apparent.
Albania’s international legal team was led by Omnia’s Cherie Blair CBE, KC, and includes Adam Smith-Anthony, Ben Wheadon, Ivaylo Dimitrov, James Palmer, Jessica Sblendorio, Kevin Gerenni, Lauren Lederle and Roberto Lupini, together with distinguished public international law specialists Sir Daniel Bethlehem KCMG, KC of Twenty Essex and Lucas Bastin KC of Essex Court Chambers, leading human rights expert Professor Gentian Zyberi of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (University of Oslo), and climate change and environmental justice specialist Margherita Cornaglia of Doughty Street Chambers.