Nawaf Salam Takes Helm at International Court of Justice

Nawaf Salam, previously considered a potential candidate for Lebanon’s Prime Minister, has been appointed as the President of the International Court of Justice for a three-year term. This announcement was met with congratulations from Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.

Salam holds the distinction of being both the first Lebanese and the second Arab to lead the International Court of Justice. Born in December 1953, his career spans diplomacy, law, and academia. His tenure as a judge on the International Court of Justice began on November 9, 2017, and is set to continue until 2027.

His diplomatic journey includes serving as Lebanon’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2007 to 2017, where he also served as President of the Security Council and Vice President of the General Assembly.

Salam’s academic credentials are impressive, holding a PhD in political science from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), an LLM from Harvard Law School, a PhD in history from Sorbonne University, and a Diploma from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales.

His academic contributions began at Sorbonne University, where he lectured on the contemporary history of the Middle East from 1979 to 1981, later becoming a visiting scholar at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. Salam also taught at the American University of Beirut and practiced law, both in Beirut and as a foreign legal consultant in the U.S.

Salam has been actively involved in Lebanese public affairs, contributing to electoral reform and serving on various councils and commissions aimed at improving governance and policy in Lebanon and the Arab world.

During his mandate at the U.N., Salam was vocal about promoting security and stability in South Lebanon, advocating for Lebanon’s disassociation from the Syrian conflict, and supporting the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In 2012, Salam was honored with the French Legion of Honor by President Nicolas Sarkozy for his contributions.

Salam’s scholarly work addresses topics such as political and constitutional reform, electoral law, sectarianism, judicial independence, and the development of international law, reflecting his diverse interests and expertise in the fields of law, diplomacy, and governance.