New York: Professor Marike Paulsson, Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, met with Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and Director of the International Trade Law Division at the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. The meeting took place during the 51st session of UNCITRAL Working Group III on Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform. Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Ruwaie, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, was also in attendance.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting followed Bahrain's historic accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation. This was formalized with the deposit of the instrument of accession at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on February 17, 2025. With this step, Bahrain became the sixteenth State Party to the Convention, which will enter into force for the Kingdom on August 17, 2025. This accession underscores Bahrain's commitment to promoting mediation as a trusted and effective mechanism for resolving international commercial disputes.
The Singapore Convention on Mediation provides a harmonised legal framework for the enforcement of international settlement agreements resulting from mediation, thereby supporting cross-border trade and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution. Bahrain's accession aligns with its strategic goal to establish itself as a regional hub for international dispute resolution and strengthens its standing in the field of alternative dispute resolution globally.
Professor Paulsson highlighted that Bahrain's accession reflects its forward-looking approach to international trade and commercial dispute settlement. "This is a significant milestone for Bahrain as we continue to advocate for modern, efficient, and collaborative dispute resolution aligned with international standards. Joining the Singapore Convention further solidifies our position as a regional leader in alternative dispute resolution and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening global trade relations," she stated.
Joubin-Bret commended Bahrain's leadership in endorsing the Convention and acknowledged its role in enhancing the global legal framework for mediation. "Bahrain's accession to the Singapore Convention illustrates its dedication to advancing the rule of law and promoting trade facilitation through mediation," she said.
The meeting also explored prospects for joint initiatives to raise awareness of the Convention and empower legal professionals and businesses to adopt mediation as a preferred method of dispute resolution. Discussions also addressed broader collaboration between Bahrain and UNCITRAL to support the development of mediation and international trade law in the region.