Legal Milestone: Rena Lee Becomes First Singaporean And First Southeast Asian Woman Elected ICJ Judge

SINGAPORE, Nov 4  – Singapore’s Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee has achieved a historic milestone by being elected as a judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term.

The election marks the first time a Singaporean national and the first time a woman from Southeast Asia has been appointed to the bench of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Lee, 57, secured her seat in the very first round of voting conducted at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Lee earned the highest vote tally in the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) with 151 votes and achieved the joint-highest tally in the 15-member UN Security Council with 13 votes.

“At a time of growing geopolitical tensions and challenges to the international order, the ICJ’s role in upholding international law and resolving disputes peacefully is more important than ever,” Prime Minister Wong stated in a social media update on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. “For small States like Singapore, a rules-based international order is fundamental to our sovereignty, security and prosperity.”

Wong added that the overwhelming vote count reflects broad international trust in Lee’s judicial capability and reaffirms Singapore’s long-standing dedication to advancing international law.

Following her election, Lee expressed gratitude to the international community, declaring: “I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence that the international community has placed in me… I look forward to serving on the court with independence, impartiality and integrity, and to contributing to its important work in the years ahead.”

Lee becomes only the second individual from Southeast Asia to serve on the ICJ since its establishment in 1945, following Judge César Bengzon of the Philippines, whose tenure ended in 1976.

Prior to her election, Lee served as Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and notably led international negotiations for the UN High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), earning her recognition on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2024. She also served as Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) from 2020 to 2025.

Voting Breakdown, Historic Context, and Professional Profile

Key parameters surrounding the ICJ election, voting figures, and judicial tenure include:

• Electee Details: Rena Lee, 57, Singapore’s Ambassador for International Law.
• Judicial Term: Nine-year term spanning 2027 to 2036 on the 15-judge ICJ panel based in The Hague, Netherlands.
• First-Round UN Voting Results: 151 of 191 votes in the UN General Assembly; 13 of 15 votes in the UN Security Council.
• Historic Landmarks: First Singaporean ICJ judge, first Southeast Asian woman ICJ judge, and second Southeast Asian judge in ICJ history after Philippines’ César Bengzon (1967–1976).
• Key Career Achievements: President of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas Treaty) and former IPOS Chief Executive.

–NMT