29 August – 31 August 2023
The UNCITRAL Academy comprises the UNCITRAL Academy Conference on 29 August 2023, and three Capacity-Building Workshops on 29-31 August 2023. The Conference and Industry Capacity-Building Workshop will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at Shangri-La Singapore. Registration is free.

The Government and Investor-State Dispute Settlement Capacity-Building Workshops will be fully virtual. Both workshops are closed-door and by invitation only for government officials.  Click here for the UNCITRAL Academy 2022 Report, for reference.


Programme
29 August 2023, Tuesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
08:30 - 09:30
Registration
09:30 - 09:35
Conference Opening
09:35 - 09:45
Welcome Address

Speaker:

Edwin TONG SC,

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Singapore

09:45 - 09:50
Opening Remarks

Speaker:

Anna JOUBIN-BRET,

Secretary of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law

09:50 - 10:30
Panel Discussion: Dispute Resolution in the Digital Economy (DRDE)

The rise of the digital economy is changing the nature and manner of dispute resolution. This panel will explore the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain specifically in such circumstances, and the use of electronic arbitral awards will also be discussed. The panellists are experts in their field and will share their insights on the impact of technology on disputes and how they are resolved.

 

Join us for this informative and thought-provoking discussion and gain valuable insights into the influence of these technologies and their practical applications in law-making!


Moderator:

Takashi TAKASHIMA,

Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law


Speakers:

Tejas KARIA,

Partner and Head – Arbitration, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. India


Professor Pietro ORTOLANI,

Full Professor, Radboud University


Professor Maud PIERS,

Associate Professor, Ghent University; Vice-President, Belgian Centre of Arbitration and Mediation (Cepani)

10:30 - 11:00
Fireside Chat: The Future of International Dispute Settlement Involving States

This fireside chat with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Secretary-General Dr Hab Marcin Czepelak, moderated by Deputy Attorney-General Lionel Yee, discusses emerging trends in international dispute settlement involving States, and explores the possibilities and predictions concerning the future of inter-State disputes, as well as investor-State disputes. The session offers the audience the exclusive opportunity to engage with the PCA Secretary-General on his outlook on this topical issue, including his perspectives on the potential of the various dispute settlement methods in achieving the peaceful settlement of international disputes.


Speakers:

Dr Hab Marcin CZEPELAK,

Secretary-General, Permanent Court of Arbitration


Lionel YEE SC,

Deputy Attorney-General, Attorney-General's Chambers

11:00 - 12:00
Panel Discussion: Investor-State Mediation

Investor-State mediation is an effective tool in resolving investor-State disputes and it offers many benefits to both the investor and the State. In this panel, leading experts in the field of mediation and investor-State dispute settlement will come together to discuss the latest developments concerning investor-State mediation, including the recently finalised UNCITRAL investment mediation treaty provisions and guidelines, and share their thoughts on what it will take to further promote investor-State mediation as a means to resolving investor-State disputes.


Moderator:

George LIM SC,

Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre


Speakers:

Mohamed Shahdy ANWAR,

Managing Partner, S&A Lawyers


Christina HIOUREAS,

Partner and Global Co-Chair, International Litigation and Arbitration Department, Foley Hoag LLP


Dr Judith KNIEPER,

Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law


Toby LANDAU KC,

Barrister, Advocate and Arbitrator, Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice)


Frauke NITSCHKE,

Senior Legal Counsel and Team Leader, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

12:00 - 12:45
Panel Discussion: Navigating Inter-Cultural Needs in Mediation and Arbitration

Dispute resolution styles often reflect cultural dimensions, and cultural conflicts can carry over into courtrooms, mediation chambers and interactions between legal professionals and their clients. In some cultures, direct confrontation is normal while in others, shying away from confrontation for peacekeeping and reputation is the premium. In today’s globalised world where businesses operate in multiple jurisdictions, there is a need to acknowledge these differences, and deep-seated biases that all of us may hold, and consider how this may impact our approach to the resolution of disputes. This panel will look at best practices and explore whose responsibility it is to balance different interests.


Moderator:

Professor Nadja ALEXANDER,

Professor of Law and Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University


Speakers:

Susie ABDEL-NABI,

Partner and Head, Middle East Dispute Resolution Group, Clyde & Co LLP


John BASSIE JP,

Global President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; President, The Jamaican Bar Association; Chairman, Dispute Resolution Foundation

 


Dr Kun FAN,

Associate Professor, University of New South Wales Law and Justice; Visiting Faculty, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University

 

 


Justice Mata TUATAGALOA,

Judge, Supreme Court of Samoa

12:45 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00 - 15:30
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop - Mediation Advocacy: From Breakdown to Breakthrough

Advocacy skills need not be limited to litigation or arbitration. With case studies and a demonstration, this workshop discusses the emerging field of mediation advocacy.


Participants can expect to hear from our panel on:

  • The importance of mediation advocacy for clients, counsel and mediators, and how it can affect the outcome of and experience with a case;
  • Harnessing advancements in cross-border mediation, such as the Singapore Convention;
    Assessing the suitability of cases for mediation, managing client expectations and preparing for the case;
  • Identifying the ideal modality (in-person, virtual or hybrid) to maximise benefits; and
  • The role of experts.

 

This workshop is supported by the Singapore International Mediation Centre.


Moderator:

Kevin KIM,

Founding Managing Partner, Peter & Kim


Speakers:

Shanti ABRAHAM,

International Mediator and Arbitrator, Shanti Abraham & Associates


Brian CHI,

General Counsel, Kyndryl Japan


Francis GOH,

Partner, Harry Elias Partnership LLP; Head, International Arbitration and Mediation; SIMI and IMI Certified Mediator; IMI Certified Mediation Advocate

15:30 - 16:15
Panel Discussion: Dispute Resolution for Carbon Markets

As the drive to combat global warming gathers pace, carbon markets play an increasingly key role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. This panel explores the dynamic landscape of carbon markets and initiatives implemented across various geographies to achieve emissions reduction targets. Panellists will provide insights on navigating carbon market disputes that may arise from growing environmental challenges, as well as best practices in using arbitration and mediation to drive sustainable outcomes.


Moderator:

Annette MAGNUSSON,

Co-Founder, Climate Change Counsel


Speakers:

Rajat JARIWAL,

Partner, Trilegal


Jinhee KIM,

Head, Global Dispute Resolution Practice, Jipyong LLC


Mikkel LARSEN,

Chief Executive Officer, Climate Impact X

16:15 - 17:30
Debate: Robots are Better Arbitrators and Mediators than Humans

The recent rise in popularity of ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot has reignited discussions on the role and scope of AI in our daily work. Two teams of debaters will consider the intriguing question of whether robots do better than humans in resolving disputes. At the end of the debate, conference attendees will get to cast their vote to decide the winning team.


Moderator:

Jelita PANDJAITAN,

Partner, Linklaters LLP


Speakers:

Sheila AHUJA,

Partner, Allen & Overy LLP


Chiann BAO,

Arbitrator, Arbitration Chambers


NG Jern-Fei KC,

King’s Counsel Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice); Arbitrator, Temple Chambers (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)


Samantha J. ROWE,

Partner, International Dispute Resolution Group, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP


Jaikanth SHANKAR,

Chief Executive Officer, Davinder Singh Chambers LLC


THIO Shen Yi SC,

Joint Managing Partner, TSMP Law Corporation

17:30
End of Conference
29 August 2023, Tuesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
14:00 - 15:30
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop - Mediation Advocacy: From Breakdown to Breakthrough

Advocacy skills need not be limited to litigation or arbitration. With case studies and a demonstration, this workshop discusses the emerging field of mediation advocacy.


Participants can expect to hear from our panel on:

  • The importance of mediation advocacy for clients, counsel and mediators, and how it can affect the outcome of and experience with a case;
  • Harnessing advancements in cross-border mediation, such as the Singapore Convention;
    Assessing the suitability of cases for mediation, managing client expectations and preparing for the case;
  • Identifying the ideal modality (in-person, virtual or hybrid) to maximise benefits; and
  • The role of experts.
     

This workshop is supported by the Singapore International Mediation Centre.


Moderator:

Kevin KIM,

Founding Managing Partner, Peter & Kim


Speakers:

Shanti ABRAHAM,

International Mediator and Arbitrator, Shanti Abraham & Associates


Brian CHI,

General Counsel, Kyndryl Japan


Francis GOH,

Partner, Harry Elias Partnership LLP; Head, International Arbitration and Mediation; SIMI and IMI Certified Mediator; IMI Certified Mediation Advocate

30 August 2023, Wednesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
19:00 - 21:15
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop

This is a closed-door, by-invitation-only workshop for government officials. The workshop is supported by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy.

31 August 2023, Thursday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
19:00 - 21:30
UNCITRAL Academy Investor-State Dispute Settlement Capacity-Building Workshop

This is a closed-door, by-invitation-only workshop for government officials. The workshop is supported by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.