(Photo Courtesy: Anadolu)
NEW YORK – Naoero President David Adeang announced Tuesday that his country would withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the Pacific island state would formally revoke its membership in the Rome Statute.
Speaking before the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Adeang said Naoero would deposit its instrument of withdrawal with the Rome Statute’s depository before leaving the city.
Adeang questioned the continued relevance of the ICC, describing it as among the multilateral institutions facing growing scrutiny.
The announcement came on the same day US President Donald Trump called on countries to leave the ICC during his own address to the General Assembly.
Naoero has often voted alongside the United States on issues involving Israel and Palestine, including opposing a 2025 UN resolution backing a two-state solution.
Adeang also used his speech to press for faster action on international rules governing seabed mining.
He said Naoero supports the responsible development of seabed minerals but warned that continued delays in completing international regulations could encourage countries to move ahead without waiting for a multilateral framework.
“At every stage, we have called for the Mining Code to be finished,” Adeang said, urging the International Seabed Authority to complete and adopt the rules.
On UN reform, Adeang said the Security Council no longer reflects current global realities and called for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership.
He also urged the World Bank to consider countries’ vulnerability, and not only income levels, when determining eligibility for financial support, noting that the Asian Development Bank already incorporates vulnerability into some of its assessments.
Adeang also called for an end to the embargo against Cuba and urged dialogue based on respect for sovereignty.
The Pacific island country officially changed its name from Nauru to Naoero in July 2026 as part of an effort to restore its traditional name and identity. The government and several international institutions have since begun using the new designation.
