The International Court of Justice (ICJ) held its inaugural meeting at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, establishing itself as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. This formal gathering on April 18, 1946, was pivotal as it saw the court's judges, elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, convene for the first time since its establishment by the UN Charter. The context of this meeting cannot be understated; it emerged from the ashes of World War II when there was a pronounced global desire to establish a system that would prevent such large-scale conflicts in the future.

During this inaugural session, the judges discussed various procedural matters and began laying down the operational foundations for the court's future activities. The establishment of the ICJ represented a visionary stride toward international governance and law, driven by the belief that conflicts could be resolved through legal means rather than warfare. Its dual role as an adjudicator of disputes and an advisory body for the UN allowed it to engage deeply with questions of international law, state sovereignty, and human rights.

The meeting brought together notable figures in international law and showcased the diversity of national representation within the judiciary. The ICJ was designed not only as a dispute resolution mechanism but also as a platform for the development of international law itself, embodying the post-war spirit of cooperation and unity. Through this initial meeting, the ICJ set a precedent for its role in the coming decades as a critical forum for international legal issues and a space where the principles of justice could be addressed on a global scale.