UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the international community in The Hague, Netherlands, to choose a future driven by the rule of law rather than a future driven by raw power. On the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday local time, Guterres said that violations of international law are happening before our eyes.

“Precisely because the international system is under so much pressure, it is more important than ever to adhere to international law, especially in an era of changing power dynamics,” the UN chief said.

Guterres warned that undermining international law risks undermining the foundations of global stability. “When force replaces law, instability begins to spread,” he warned.

ICJ President Iwasawa Yuji also echoed these concerns and pointed to troubling signs of disengagement from international responsibilities, growing resistance to following rules and growing skepticism towards multilateralism, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The Court responds to these challenges by carrying out its judicial function, interpreting and applying international law strictly and in good faith,” he said. The ICJ, the UN’s highest tribunal, is the only international court that adjudicates disputes between the 193 UN member states.

This means that it significantly contributes to peace and security around the world and gives countries a way to resolve issues without conflict.

The ICJ was formed in 1945 and is housed in the Peace Palace in The Hague. It held a special meeting on Friday to celebrate the 80th anniversary. The event was attended by Dutch King Willem-Alexander as well as senior international and Dutch officials.