Mr President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentleman,
Let me at the outset thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the first Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court.
Almost 8 years ago, in 1994, here in this building, I had the honor and the privilege to extend, on behalf of the Italian Government, my country’s invitation to host a Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries to finally translate into a legal document years of negotiations on a draft Statute for an International Criminal Court. Today, I find myself in a different seat and capacity, representing No Peace Without Justice and the Transnational Radical Party, but our commitment to a fair international rule of law and to the end impunity remains the same.
Mr. President, over the last eight years - working together tirelessly around the world - we sustained the necessary momentum in different regions of the globe to support what a decade ago seemed just a visionary idea. The seventy-nine States Parties to the Court give proof to what we have been able to achieve in synergy and mutual cooperation.
[Let me take this opportunity to salute in particular Friday’s accession of East Timor. Its decision to enter the community of nations with such an important first step should serve as an example and encouragement to the whole world.]
I should also like to take this opportunity to commend the work that many Governments, regional organizations such as the European Union, as well as private contributors, who have undertaken to support the creation of the Court around the world and to commend also the unique and invaluable contribution of non-governmental organizations that have been among the leading actors in the process of the coming into being of the Court.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates,
The entry into force of the ICC marks the beginning of a new era in international affairs. An era where the quest for justice is considered a foundation to the building of peace.
If triggered properly, the ICC can also act as a powerful deterrent for future conflict, preventing bloodsheds and saving thousands of innocent lives.
To achieve this objective, it is of paramount importance to strengthen the Court providing it with the necessary expertise and financial means and making sure that its work is conducted according to the checks and balances provided for by its founding documents.
In order for the Court to work with effectiveness, fairness and impartiality, it is imperative that all those countries that have endorsed the Rome Statute continue to work to ensure the court benefit from the election and appointment of officials, including judges and prosecutor, of the highest quality, as well as to expedite their domestic processes of implementation to establish effective mechanisms of collaboration with the ICC.
At the same time, all major players in global affairs should find ways of working together with the Court allowing it to discharge its mandate in a thorough independent and effective manner.
It is incumbent on ratifying countries, and in particular on those states that have taken a lead in the ICC process, to serve and protect the first permanent institutions to combat impunity world-wide. The world does not need another toothless or biased institution.

To achieve these goals, the first step is to work towards the universalization of the jurisdiction of the court. Amongst the States that have signed, among those that have contributed constructively to the negotiations, too many have not yet ratified or acceded to the Statute.
We need them.

Second, more than 100 countries are still missing. Among them, some of the most powerful, some of the largest and some of the most populous countries in the world are still opposing the court, either silently or quite vocally.
We must convince them to join.

Third, we should always keep in mind that impunity cannot remain a weapon in the arsenal of any global actor.

The International Criminal Court is here to stay. Governments, perceptions, political attitudes within individual countries can change; sometimes very rapidly. Who would have thought that, last week, the Kyoto Protocol would receive such important and authoritative support?

Mr. President,
The entry into force of the first international criminal jurisdiction represents a reason of hope for individuals and entire peoples, now and in future generations, we cannot let them down to appease particular transitory concerns.
Our task should therefore be the creation of a political climate where issues such as the respect of the rule of law become the precondition to the very right to life of billions of individuals regardless of their nationality.
The Assembly of States Parties has the mandate to serve as the guarantor of the work of the International Criminal Court, it is a responsibility that should be honored with the same devotion to effectiveness and transparency that has characterized the excellent work of the Preparatory Commission.
You have a great task ahead of you, but the work accomplished so far is a guarantee of what we should expect.
On our part, do not doubt that we will continue to work towards our common goal.
I wish you good work.

Thank you