The international legal responsibility of states is one of the fundamental and oldest institutions of international law. In modern international law, one of the guiding principles is the principle of sovereign equality. According to this principle, states participate in mutual relations and multilateral international communication, each possessing sovereignty in internal affairs and independence in foreign policy.

According to the theory of international law, the subjects of international responsibility are the subjects of international law themselves. The Draft Articles adopted by the UN General Assembly were primarily devoted to the responsibility of states toward other states. However, it should be noted that the general part of the Articles also covers the responsibility of states toward other subjects of international law.

This article examines and analyzes the historical development and codification process of state responsibility in international law, the content of the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts adopted by the UN International Law Commission, as well as the grounds, principles, forms, and methods of holding states internationally accountable. It should be emphasized that the issue of types and forms of international legal responsibility remains relevant in modern international law doctrine.

The concept of international legal responsibility of the state forms the foundation for maintaining the international order. However, since 2001-when the International Law Commission (ILC) completed the Draft Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts - the world has undergone radical changes: global environmental threats, transnational and cyber risks, pandemics, and large-scale conflicts have emerged.

Global security crises, the limited jurisdiction of international courts, the growing role of non-state actors, and the political dependence of international law all complicate the implementation of state responsibility. Nevertheless, the institution of international legal responsibility remains the main mechanism ensuring the application of international legal norms among states. The relevance of this institution continues to increase in a rapidly changing and globalizing world.

The purpose of the article is to reveal the essence of the institution of state responsibility in international law, determine its legal foundations, and analyze the main trends in its development.