Overview

International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international judicial institution established in 2002 following the entry into force of the Rome Statute. It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. ICC was created to prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.The Court’s purpose is to address impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It operates as a court of last resort, acting only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to prosecute.

Mission and focus areas

ICC’s core mission is to deliver justice, promote accountability and strengthen the international rule of law. It focuses on investigating and prosecuting grave international crimes that threaten peace, security and human dignity.While ICC is not a sustainability or finance-focused body, its work is relevant to ESG and sustainable finance through its contribution to human rights protection, governance, conflict risk assessment and legal accountability. ICC outcomes are frequently referenced in human rights due diligence, country risk analysis and responsible investment frameworks.

Structure and governance

ICC operates under a clearly defined governance framework set out in the Rome Statute. It is overseen by the Assembly of States Parties, which provides administrative oversight and approves the budget.
The Court is composed of four main organs: the Presidency, the Judiciary, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry. Judges and the Prosecutor are elected by States Parties, ensuring institutional independence from political bodies and governments.

Programs and offerings

ICC delivers judicial proceedings, investigations and prosecutions, resulting in judgments, arrest warrants and legal decisions that shape international criminal law. It publishes case information, legal documents, policy papers and annual reports.The Court also conducts outreach and victim participation programmes, providing transparency and access to affected communities. For practitioners, ICC serves as an authoritative source on international criminal accountability, governance risk and human rights enforcement at a global level.

Trust Fund for Victims

Though the Trust Fund for Victims is separate from the Court, it was created in 2004 by the Assembly of States Parties, in accordance with article 79 of the Rome Statute. The Fund’s mission is to support and implement programmes that address harms resulting from genocide, crimes of humanity and war crimes. To achieve this mission, the TFV has a two-fold mandate: (i) to implement Court-Ordered reparations and (ii) to provide physical, psychological, and material support to victims and their families. By assisting victims to return to a dignified and contributory life within their communities, the TFV contributes to realizing sustainable and long-lasting peace by promoting restorative justice and reconciliation.