Rena Lee Becomes First Singaporean and First Southeast Asian Woman Elected to ICJ

Phnom Penh, November 4, 2026: Ambassador Rena Lee has been elected a Judge of the International Court of Justice for the 2027-2036 term, making history as the first Singaporean and the first woman from Southeast Asia to sit on the Court, Singapore's government announced.

Ambassador Lee, Singapore's Ambassador for International Law, will take up her seat in February 2027.

In the Nov. 3 election for five seats, she won an absolute majority in both the UN General Assembly and Security Council—151 of 191 votes in the UNGA and 13 of 15 in the UNSC—a result Singapore said reflects the international community's strong trust and confidence in her.


A diplomat and negotiator with more than 30 years in public international law, Ambassador Lee previously served as Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and presided over the UN conference that produced the landmark BBNJ agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. She also served on the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority and is a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The ICJ, the UN's principal judicial organ, settles disputes submitted by states and issues advisory opinions, with 15 judges serving nine-year terms.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan offered his heartiest congratulations, saying the result recognises Ambassador Lee's standing in international law and that Singapore is honoured to have a citizen serve on the Court for the first time. Law Minister Edwin Tong SC said the vote was a strong endorsement of her expertise, adding that the ICJ must continue to be staffed by well-qualified judges of integrity.

Ambassador Lee said she is deeply honoured and looks forward to serving with independence, impartiality and integrity, noting the Court's vital role in the peaceful settlement of disputes amid growing global uncertainty.

Source: Singapore Ministry of Law; Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Reported by The Khmer Daily Network