South Africa and Malaysia called for stronger enforcement of international law at a high-level meeting Friday at UN headquarters in New York, with foreign and justice ministers and senior diplomats from 40 countries.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who co-hosted the meeting, said international law must be backed by effective enforcement.

Participants discussed a proposal for a new UN mechanism, modelled on the 1962 Special Committee against Apartheid, to monitor compliance with international law. 

The meeting also called for renewed efforts to secure a UN Security Council arms embargo on Israel, as well as measures to safeguard the International Criminal Court, its judges and officials from sanctions and other forms of pressure.

Participants described the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as an urgent test of the international system, citing what they said were continued violations despite the International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion and a subsequent UN General Assembly resolution.

The talks also examined ways to promote equal treatment of states under international law, encourage compliance with existing obligations and strengthen accountability for those who undermine international courts and human rights institutions.

South Africa and Malaysia said consultations with participating countries would continue, stressing that upholding international law is a collective responsibility.