UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) marked on Thursday the 10th anniversary of its founding at the UN Headquarters.

    In a statement delivered at a commemorating ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the ICC's creation as a milestone in international law.

    "The creation of the ICC is unquestionably one of the major achievements of international law during the past century," Ban said. "But this young court remains a work in progress; a fragile part of a crucial and ongoing effort to entrench international law and justice."

    The UN provided crucial assistance to member states which created the court, Ban noted.

    "Ever since, UN-ICC cooperation has expanded steadily to the point that by now, our two independent institutions fully complement each other's work," he said.

    "Today, the UN's work to promote peace, development and human rights is heavily dependent on the ICC's efforts to advance justice and establish the rule of law," Ban said.

    Opening the commemoration of the anniversary in New York, BrunoStagno Ugarte, foreign minister of Costa Rica and current president of the Assembly of States Parties of the ICC, paid tribute to all those who had supported the court's creation.

    "The more than 100 States Parties gathered here today have committed not to become inured to horror, not to take part in the distribution of blame for events past and not to seek absolution in the 'never agains' the international community has usually withdrawn to whenever it has allowed evil to run its course," he said.

    Also addressing the meeting, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said that all nations had to operate in accordance with the law.

    "Because the law is not just for the courtroom -- the law expresses what is right and what is wrong for the community – and in this case for a global community," Moreno-Ocampo.

    "Ten years ago more than 100 states decided that ending impunity is the right answer to prevent the most serious crimes," he said.

    ICC is a permanent judicial body established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998 to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

    The court commenced operations on July 1, 2002, after the requisite number of 60 countries ratified the Rome Statute.