Historic Signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation

The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation” was signed by 46 countries on August 7, 2019 in Singapore.

The Convention aims to implement an international regime for the enforcement of mediated settlements – similar to the 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention). To commemorate the Signing of the Convention, Singapore hosted a week full of events from August 2 to 9, 2019. Hundreds of government officials, business executives, legal practitioners and academics from around the world were invited to witness the signing of the Convention, and to discuss emerging issues relating to business, international trade law and dispute resolution.

CIArb NAB’s Board Director Ana Sambold and Chapter Chair Gary Birnberg were invited to witness such an historic event and participated in all the events and festivities surrounding the Signing Ceremony.

CIArb was a supporting organization for one of the Singapore Conference events: the Global Think Tank held on August 8, 2019 from 10 am to 5 pm. The purpose of the Global Think Tank was to capture the views of delegates from around the globe on the impact of the Singapore Convention.

The New York Convention paved the way for an expansion in the resolution of international disputes through arbitration proceedings … if history is any indicator, the Singapore Convention is very good news for business, looking to resolve controversies thought international mediation.