The 77th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly kicks off on September 13, 2022, at the UN Headquarters in New York. Various topics will be discussed during the general assembly including preventing famine, eliminating nuclear weapons and how to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VCG

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected judges to the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and United Nations Dispute Tribunal. Two Chinese candidates successfully won the election, marking the first time in history since the establishment of the two organs.

Gao Xiaoli of China's Supreme People's Court was elected judge to the Appeals Tribunal for a term starting immediately upon appointment and ending on 30 June 2026. 

To the Dispute Tribunal, Sun Xiangzhuang, also of China's Supreme People's Court, was elected full-time judge in Geneva, for terms beginning on 1 July 2023 and ending on 30 June 2030, according to the UN official website. 

The UN Dispute Tribunal was established in 2009 by the General Assembly resolution 62/228 and has nine judges, based in New York, Geneva and Nairobi. 

The Appeals Tribunal, also established in 2009 in resolution 62/228, has seven judges, all of whom are based at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Both organs are important bodies of the UN internal justice system, playing a key role in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of UN staff members and promoting the effective functioning of the UN system on the basis of the rule of law.

It is worth noting that this is the first time that candidates from China have been elected to the Appeals Tribunal and the Dispute Tribunal since the establishment of the Tribunals.

Global Times