Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the fifth edition of the World Conference on International Arbitration kicked off today, Tuesday, November 19, at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Hotel in Doha.
Organized by the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation & Arbitration (QICCA), the two-day event is being held under the theme ‘Arbitration in the MENA Region – Present and Future.’
The opening ceremony was graced by H.E. Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber and QICCA, H.E. Dr Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al-Thani, QICCA board member for international relations, along with a host of distinguished international arbitration experts.
In his remarks, H.E. Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, said that this international conference aligns with Qatar’s dedicated efforts to enhance the role of alternative means of resolving civil and commercial disputes, including mediation and arbitration.
H.E. added that it is also reflects the state’s commitment to promoting arbitration as an effective means of dispute resolution, positioning Qatar a regional hub for arbitration. This is supported by the country’s advanced and modern legislation, as well as its extensive expertise in justice and arbitration.
H.E. noted that this reflects Qatar’s commitment to fostering a favourable climate for arbitration and developing a pro-investment environment, in alignment with the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030.
H.E. The Minister emphasized the state’s keenness, in implementation of the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to achieving the inclusive development by various government bodies in collaboration with the private sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. He noted that Qatar has witnessed a legislative boom by enacting several important laws including Law No (2) of 2017 Law No. 2 of 2017 Promulgating the Civil and Commercial Arbitration Law (‘Qatari Arbitration Law), which adopted its principles from the principles of the Model Arbitration Rules adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) issued in 2006.
H.E. emphasized that the Ministry of Justice places a high priority on arbitration, highlighting that its new strategy includes updated procedures aimed at strengthening the state’s efforts to establish an active national arbitration system aligned with international standards in the field of arbitration.
During his speech, H.E. the Minister elaborated on arbitration’s role in alleviating the burden on the country’s regular courts.
H.E. the Minister of Justice commended the Qatar Chamber’s efforts, through QICCA, in promoting alternative dispute resolution methods among companies, employers, and individuals. H.E. emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Chamber’s initiatives to enhance its performance in this field by leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, and providing a robust infrastructure and IT systems to streamline arbitration procedures.
In conclusion, H.E. highlighted that the conference serves as a crucial platform to emphasize the importance of arbitration across various sectors and to advance international commercial arbitration through collaboration with both national and international stakeholders.
For his part, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani Chairman of Qatar Chamber and QICCA, underscored that the conference reflects the significance of arbitration in the fast-changing world of today, stressing the importance of promoting the concept of quick and effective justice to meet the aspirations of society and the business sector alike.
Sheikh Khalifa also noted that arbitration today is no longer just an alternative way to resolve disputes but has become an urgent necessity imposed because of the complexities of commercial and economic relations, whether at the local or international level.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, for patronising the event. He also extended his thanks to H.E. Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, for inaugurating the conference, and for the Ministry of Justice for its ongoing support.
He emphasized that economic growth and global openness have led to an increase in economic transactions, thereby increasing the need for a sophisticated and flexible judicial system capable of adapting with these changes and ensuring the stability of commercial relations.
HE Sheikh Khalifa highlighted that QICCA adheres to the latest internationally recognized legal principles, particularly the Model Arbitration Rules adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) as revised in 2010.
He assured QICCA’s commitment to promoting the culture of arbitration and aligning with modern global legislations, emphasizing that arbitration is not just a means of delivering justice but also a vital driver of investment and economic development.
“The presence of an advanced and effective arbitration system encourages both foreign and local investments, creating an attractive and secure economic environment,” he said. He added that QICCA’s strategic vision is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance a sustainable investment environment and bolster Qatar’s position as a global economic centre.
Sheikh Khalifa announced that, starting from January 1, 2025, QICCA will implement the new arbitration rules, which were developed and reviewed by a team of distinguished arbitrators, specialists and experts at the national and international levels, ensuring alignment with the latest global trends in international arbitration.
In a speech delivered via video conference, Anna Joubin Bret, Secretary of UNCITRAL, praised QICCA for hosting the conference and emphasized the importance of UNCITRAL’s support for the event, expressing hope that it would result in fruitful outcomes and recommendations.
She noted that Qatar is a member of both the 1958 New York Convention and the Singapore Convention on Mediation, and highlighted that in 2010, the country enacted legislation that aligns with UNCITRAL’s rules.
Additionally, she said that QICCA follows the UNCITRAL arbitration rules, a practice that is highly appreciated by UNCITRAL.
In turn, Prof. Gary Born, Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at Wilmer Cutler Hale and Dorr, reviewed the recent developments in the international arbitration for a modern perspective.
He highlighted that the today world is impacted by electronic applications, which are applications in which the user chooses what he prefers and excludes what he does not prefer. He indicated that this applies to the options of modern developments for arbitration, including the issue of choosing the law governing arbitration agreements, and on what basis the law that governs the arbitration agreement is chosen.
QICCA signed several agreements
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, QICCA signed several agreements with prominent international arbitration institutions to strengthen cooperation with these leading bodies.
H.E. Dr Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al-Thani, QICCA Board Member for International Relations, signed the agreements with Catherine Dixon, CEO of CIArb, and Dr Nayla Comair Obeid, Member of the Executive Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration and Professor of Law at the Lebanese University.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani and Dr. Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al-Thani honored the conference’s sponsors, including QNB as the strategic partner, and gold sponsors Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners, Thani bin Ali Al-Thani Law Firm, and Yousef Al-Zaman Law Firm, as well as silver sponsor Dr. Muna Al-Marzouqi Law Firm and other supporting organizations.
