On Tuesday, April 28, Phoebe Okowa, a Kenyan judge of the International Court of Justice, visited the Supreme Court, where she met with senators and court staff.

During the meeting, participants discussed a range of issues related to international law, including some of the most significant recent rulings delivered by international courts. Representatives of the Supreme Court introduced Judge Okowa to the application of international law in Latvian judicial practice, while she shared insights into the work of the International Court of Justice and the day-to-day responsibilities of its judges. Judge Okowa also expressed interest in Latvia’s historical experience and the role international law has played within it. Particular attention was devoted to current challenges and future developments in international environmental law, gender balance among law students, judges, and other legal professionals, as well as the openness of Latvia’s legal system to international legal norms. The judge endorsed the view that, in today’s volatile geopolitical environment, Latvia and other small states that continue to uphold a rules-based international order play a vital role in safeguarding the international legal system.

Phoebe Okowa holds a doctorate in international law and is a professor at Queen Mary University of London. She has represented parties before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and other international judicial bodies. She has served as a judge at the International Court of Justice since November 2025, when her candidacy was approved by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to fill the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf for the remainder of his term, which runs until February 2027. In keeping with established practice, vacancies on the Court are generally filled by judges from the same regional group in order to preserve its geographical balance.

 

Information prepared by Viesturs Lācis, Adviser in the Matters of Senate Communication

Telephone: +371 67020302; e-mail: viesturs.lacis@at.gov.lv