We are living in an era of unprecedented challenges to the international legal order.

When we in Europe speak about this crisis, we immediately think of Russia’s war of aggression. A war that is raging in its fourth year.

But we all know that the threat to the international legal order goes far beyond Ukraine.

Across the globe, we are witnessing violations of territorial integrity, the redrawing of borders, and the commission of atrocities against civilian populations.

More and more states – and non-state groups – seem to be following a dangerous logic:

that might is right, that the powerful may dominate the weak, that the building of empires by coercion and war is justified.

Let me be clear: All acts of aggression undermine the international legal order.

They are in violation of one of the core principles of the United Nations Charter: they violate the prohibition of the use of force enshrined in Art 2 IV of the Charter.

It is this Charter that the peoples of the world created in the wake of the horrors of the Second World War.

Ladies and gentlemen, in 1986, after finishing school and serving for a few years in Germany’s Federal Armed Forces, I chose to study law at the University of Kiel.

I did so because I held a deep conviction: that the law serves us all. That it protects us. And that it makes societies more just and more secure.

Today, I am no longer the law school fresher I was in 1986 – but that conviction remains unchanged.

And it guides my work as Foreign Minister.

80 years ago, the Nuremberg trials established an important principle: That even those acting on behalf of states can and must be held accountable when they commit the most serious crimes.

In the aftermath of the most serious crimes committed by Nazi Germany, Nuremberg gave rise to the principle of individual accountability under international criminal law

– and with the creation of the ICC we built a permanent institution to ensure such accountability.

Today, it is thanks to these principles, treaties and institutions that the international legal order - despite all its shortcomings –

is currently more just and more stable than it has been at any other time in modern history.

But if we want to preserve this system, we need to adapt it to today’s challenges.

That is why I am grateful to all of you for being here today – to explore how we can address crime of aggression more effectively.

And while international law and the principle of non-aggression are under threat – the ICC itself faces intense pressures.

We note with regret yesterday’s announcement by the US to impose additional sanctions on the court.

Germany will continue to be a steadfast supporter of international law and the ICC.

Because it serves us all - and more than that: it protects us all.

Ladies and gentlemen, the upcoming Review Conference of the Rome Statute this July offers a critical opportunity to strengthen the Statute.

Legally, by aligning the jurisdictional scope of the crime of aggression with that of the other core crimes, a step which would close a major accountability gap.

In addition, the review should also be an occasion to reinforce the Court institutionally.

When all 125 States Parties come together to reaffirm their commitment to the ICC and its founding principles – especially at a time like this – they send a powerful message of solidarity and support.

To uphold the rule of law and to strengthen institutions like the International Criminal Court as well as the International Court of Justice, we will work closely together with you, our international partners.

I am pleased to see so many familiar faces here today – particularly from Africa and Latin America.

Someone recently pointed out to me that, in my first weeks in office, I have already met with nearly half the foreign ministers of Africa’s 54 countries.

That tells me one thing: I still have work to do to meet the other half.

And I intend to engage just as meaningfully with our partners in Latin America.

Let us join forces to strengthen international law and accountability; to make our institutions fit for the future,

and to build a world that is more just and more secure.