Singapore's Ambassador Rena Lee Elected Judge of the International Court of Justice: 151 Votes in General Assembly, 13 in Security Council
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 3, 2026, that Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee has been elected a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027-2036 term, beginning in February 2027. She is the first Singaporean and the first woman from Southeast Asia elected to the ICJ.
The UN held the election in New York that day for five open seats on the 15-judge Court for nine-year terms, with voting in both the General Assembly and the Security Council. Ambassador Lee secured an absolute majority in both, receiving 151 of 191 votes in the General Assembly and 13 of 15 in the Security Council. The ICJ is the UN's principal judicial organ, settling legal disputes between states and giving advisory opinions.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the result reflects the international community's recognition of Ambassador Lee's abilities, experience and standing in international law. Minister for Law Edwin Tong called it a strong endorsement after a hard-fought campaign. Ambassador Lee said she looks forward to serving with independence, impartiality and integrity. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore)
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：国际法院所在地和平宫（海牙）。照片：Iamthestig，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the ICJ. Photo by Iamthestig, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
