On the afternoon of September 25 2024, the China-MENA Arbitration Institutions Dialogue (hereinafter referred to as the "Dialogue") was successfully held in Beijing.  On the occasion of the China Arbitration Summit Forum and the China-MENA Arbitration Summit Forum in Beijing, this Dialogue was organized by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "CIETAC"), aiming to further promote international cooperation and better support the development of the global economy. Over 20 representatives from 16 arbitration and legal institutions in the MENA region participated in the Dialogue. These included the African Arbitration Association (AfAA), the Association for the Promotion of Arbitration in Africa (APAA), the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD), the Afghanistan Center for Commercial Dispute Resolution (ACDR), the Cyprus Arbitration and Mediation Centre (CAMC), the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), the Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Center (LAMC), the Libyan Center for International Commercial Arbitration (LCICA), the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), and the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), among others. The Dialogue was chaired by Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC.

(Scene of the Dialogue)

Secretary-General Wang Chengjie emphasized the importance of the MENA region as a vital link in the Belt and Road Initiative. He highlighted the profound emotional ties and robust economic and trade relationships between China and the MENA region. However, with increasing economic and trade activities, commercial disputes are inevitably on the rise. Arbitration, as one of the most effective mechanisms for resolving cross-border disputes, has become increasingly important in this context. In light of this, CIETAC is committed to deepening mutual understanding and fostering closer cooperation with international arbitration institutions, particularly those in the MENA region, with the purpose of promoting the high-quality development of international arbitration. Based on this, CIETAC host the Dialogue to encourage joint efforts and announced the "International Arbitration Cooperation Initiative (2024)". This proposal seeks to advance mutual benefit, shared prosperity, and the harmonious development of the international arbitration.

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie presiding over the review of the draft Initiative)

During the Dialogue, representatives from participating institutions reviewed the draft of the "International Arbitration Cooperation Initiative (2024)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Initiative"). They agreed that the advocacy of the Initiative for fairness and justice, transparency, independence, and strong judicial support forms a solid foundation for the development of arbitration. Meanwhile, its emphasis on green practices, technology, diversity, talent cultivation, and cooperation provides powerful momentum for advancing arbitration. The Initiative resonated deeply with the participants, aligning with contemporary needs and reflecting their expectations. It received enthusiastic support and was unanimously approved by all attendees.

Prior to the meeting, the Initiative was widely circulated for written feedback and received explicit support and positive responses from arbitration institutions across numerous countries and regions, primarily in the MENA region. Supportive responses were confirmed from Bahrain, the UAE, Kenya, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Zambia, Oman, Mauritius, Uganda, Algeria, Cyprus, and Armenia, among others. By the end of the Dialogue, a total of 30 international dispute resolution institutions had agreed to support the Initiative and jointly issued it to the global arbitration community.

This Dialogue brought together numerous arbitration institutions and international organizations from the MENA region, as well as from different legal jurisdictions, serving as a significant demonstration of respecting diverse cultures mutually and strengthening cooperation and exchanges internationally. The consensus on the Initiative particularly highlighted the shared arbitration philosophy of various institutions, which focus on meeting the needs of parties involved in arbitration. This unity paves the way for more focused and purposeful cooperation between China and the MENA region in the field of international arbitration. Consequently, it will further drive the flourishing development of international arbitration and make a more significant contribution to global economic development.

(Group photo of participants)

Encl: The " International Arbitration Cooperation Initiative (2024)"

2024 Initiative for Synchronized Development in International Arbitration

International arbitration is an irreplaceable mechanism for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. Economic globalization and digitalization have brought remarkable energy and robust drive to the high-quality development of international arbitration. Strengthening cooperation is a shared understanding of the global arbitration community, aimed at excellent future achievements and high-quality development. 

The international arbitration community has a well-established tradition of cooperation, with aligned goals, working together to provide global public legal services. In the era of economic globalization, deepening exchange, expanding collaboration, and progressing together are key strategies for promoting international arbitration. In this context, adhering to the principles of promoting international development and upholding the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation, and mutual benefit, CIETAC, along with [number] arbitration institutions from [number] countries and regions worldwide, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, jointly launch the following initiative:

1. Upholding Fairness, Justice, and Ensuring Transparency and Independence 

We jointly uphold the independence and fairness of international arbitration, avoid any form of bias or interference, improve the transparency and predictability of arbitration, promote it as an effective and preferred method for resolving cross-border disputes, and work together to provide a fair and just dispute resolution mechanism for parties across the world.

2. Deepening Cultural Exchanges and Encouraging Win-win Cooperation 

We jointly advocate for the enhancement of mutual learning and understanding among divers arbitral culture, and strengthening intellectual exchange based on respect for the legal traditions and cultural customs of different countries and regions. In particular, we aim to deepen the exchange and cooperation between arbitration institutions in the MENA region and other developing countries with internationally renowned arbitration centers, in order to build a harmonious and inclusive international arbitration cultural ecosystem.

3. Seeking Judicial Support and Enabling Cross-Border Enforcement of Arbitral Awards

We jointly seek stronger support from national judicial systems for arbitration, actively participate in the reform and development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as arbitration under the auspices of United Nations Commission On International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). We work together to promote the global recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards under the New York Convention, creating a better international legal environment for the development of international arbitration.   

4. Leveraging Technological Innovations to Achieve Green Arbitration

We jointly promote the development of international arbitration towards intelligence and modernization, explore the application of new technologies in the field of dispute resolution, encourage electronic exchange of documents and paperless office practices, and actively explore smarter virtual hearing, providing convenient, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for international commercial disputes and boosting the high quality development of international arbitration with the aids of technology.

5. Consolidating Different ADR Mechanisms and Improving the Quality of Arbitration Services

We jointly bridge arbitration with litigation, mediation, and other ADR mechanisms, focusing on the needs of arbitration users to resolve international commercial disputes in a flexible, efficient, and convenient manner, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of parties, fostering a stable, fair, transparent and predictable international business environment operating under rule of law.

6. Collaborating on Talent Training to Lay a Solid Foundation for Future Development

We jointly provide younger generation with valuable learning and practical opportunities, enriching their professional knowledge and broadening their international perspectives. We aim at cultivating a group of high-quality, internationally-minded arbitration legal professionals, and inspiring the passion and creativity of youth for arbitration, thereby building a talent pool for more impartial, efficient, and harmonious international arbitration system.

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone.” We are committed, on this basis, to uniting all forces, adhering to the spirit of consensus with the mindset for development, and sparing no efforts to work together to promote international arbitration in making important contribution to the development of global economy.