Singapore's Rena Lee becomes first national elected to International Court of Justice

The 57-year-old legal expert won the backing of 151 out of 191 nations voting in the UN General Assembly, the highest number of votes cast for any candidate in that chamber. She also garnered 13 out of 15 votes in the Security Council, tied for the strongest performance in that body.

Lee's election represents a significant diplomatic achievement for Singapore and underscores the nation's standing within multilateral institutions. Her appointment to the principal judicial organ of the United Nations follows a campaign highlighting her extensive legal credentials and experience in international law.

The International Court of Justice serves as the UN's highest court, handling disputes between member states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions referred by UN organs. Judges serve nine-year terms and are elected through concurrent voting by the General Assembly and Security Council, with candidates requiring substantial majorities in both chambers.

Lee's election adds to Singapore's representation in key international bodies and reflects the city-state's active engagement in global governance frameworks. She will join other ICJ judges from around the world in upholding the rule of law at the international level.