For those of us who believe the world’s major problems are global and therefore require the global village to deal with them, the United Nations, despite all its weaknesses, remains a pillar of hope. Last week two UN bodies made decisions that justified that hope.

In 2025 the UN’s International court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that countries are obligated to protect their citizens from the “urgent and existential threat” of climate change.

If they fail to curb greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production or consumption of fossil fuels, or approve new exploration, or subsidize fossil fuel industries, they may be held liable for “an internationally wrongful act.” The ruling stated that all countries had binding obligations to act not just under UN climate agreements but also under international human rights law, the law of the sea and customary international law.

The ruling reinforced earlier decisions by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which declared that the climate crisis is a human rights emergency; and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea which affirmed that greenhouse gas emissions pollute the marine environment and countries have a duty to prevent environmental harm that affects other nations.

Last week the UN General Assembly voted 141–8 to adopt a resolution backing the ICJ’s opinion. Canada, I’m pleased to say, was a sponsor of the resolution and voted in favour. As did China. As expected, our good friend and neighbour the U.S., along with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Iran, Yemen, Liberia and Belarus opposed the motion.

UN Secretary General António Guterres said the vote was a “powerful affirmation of international law, climate justice, science and the responsibility of states to protect people from the escalating climate crisis.”

Also last week, the ICJ ruled that the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention included the right to strike. The court had been asked by the ILO, the UN’s oldest agency, to settle the dispute over whether the convention gives workers that right. The decision has the potential to affect labour regulations worldwide.

The convention is incorporated into a number of employment guidelines and standards, including those of the UN, the OECD and various international trade agreements. It has been ratified by 158 countries, including Canada (but not the U.S.)

At a time of all too many dreary news reports, it is encouraging to read good news on two very important issues: climate action and workers’ rights. And the icing on the cake—Canada supported both.