Armenia Becomes 125th Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration

On September 18, a ceremony was held at the Peace Palace in The Hague to mark Armenia’s official accession to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). This placed Armenia among the 125 states that are part of the international institution dedicated to resolving disputes peacefully.

The ceremony brought together high-level representatives, including the President of the International Criminal Court, members of the Royal House of the Netherlands, officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Carnegie Foundation, and ambassadors accredited in The Hague.

Armenia’s membership comes at a symbolic time. The PCA, established by the Conventions of 1899 and 1907, recently celebrated 125 years of service to justice and international law. With its accession, Armenia became the 125th contracting party, underscoring the importance of international law at a moment of global challenges.

The Secretary-General of the PCA showed that Armenia’s decision aligns with its political vision of supporting investment dispute resolution and advancing national development. Acting President of the PCA Administrative Council, Juraj Podhorský, noted that Armenia’s ratification of the founding conventions reflects the country’s commitment to multilateralism and peaceful dispute settlement.

The PCA also maintains a tradition of national chairs, each crafted with fine woodwork, textiles, and embroidery, and bearing the coat of arms of every member state. Armenia now has its own symbolic chair, representing its sovereignty and place within the court’s community.

At the ceremony, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered remarks, expressing gratitude for the warm reception and emphasizing Armenia’s dedication to the court’s values.

“With the accession to the Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at The Hague in 1899 and 1907, the Republic of Armenia became the 125th Contracting Party of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It feels a little bit symbolic that Armenia became the 125th member just as the Court marked 125 years of service to justice and the rule of law last year,” he said.

Mirzoyan said that Armenia’s decision reflects its belief in the importance of dialogue, justice, and impartial mechanisms for resolving disputes. He linked this step to Armenia’s broader vision of strengthening international law, noting that the country also joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 2023.

According to Mirzoyan, Armenia sees its accession as both an international and national step. Globally, it reinforces Armenia’s commitment to the rule of law, while domestically, it supports a more secure investment climate. The government, he said, is committed to ensuring that disputes are solved through trust and professionalism, not conflict.

“Armenia’s accession is a pledge to work actively with all member states, the Court, and the wider international community to make dialogue, law, and peace the cornerstones of our common future,” he concluded.

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