Judge Shi Jiuyong, whose resignation takes effect on 28 May, has served on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) since February 1994.

He was re-elected in 2003, and served as Vice-President of the Court from 2000 to 2003 and as President from 2003 until 2006.

The election to choose his successor, the date for which was fixed in a resolution unanimously adopted by the Council, will take place in both the Council and the General Assembly, according to the Court's rules.
The ICJ, which is based in The Hague, settles legal disputes submitted to it by States, and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred by certain international bodies.