The crime of ecocide was formally introduced for consideration by member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa —an event that represents a major step forward in the global effort to enshrine mass environmental destruction as a crime under international law.

Two official side events focusing on ecocide were held at the International Criminal Court’s 22nd Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute held at the UN in New York. Vanuatu & Samoa joined forces with the Stop Ecocide Foundation for an event on 11th Dec focusing on victims of ecocide while Estonia & Romania joined Ukraine on 12th Dec to highlight the need to address ecocide in armed conflict.

Samoa supports the ecocide conversation at the ICC by co-hosting official side event and providing a supporting statement from the Prime Minister.