The 80th session of Working Group II of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) was held in Vienna from 30 September to 4 October 2024. Invited by UNCITRAL, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), as the observer, was represented by Meng Ting, senior arbitrator of CIETAC and managing partner of Beijing Jinque Law Firm, and Cui Yang, the head of CIETAC Europe Arbitration Center.

The session finalized the Draft UNCITRAL Model Clauses on Specialised Express Dispute Resolution (SPEDR) and held a thematic discussion on the recognition and enforcement of electronic arbitral awards. The thematic discussion on electronic awards covered the practice of arbitral institutions in relation to electronic awards, the experience of digitizing proceedings in courts of various countries, the application of existing UNCITRAL instruments on electronic commerce and electronic communications, such as the Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts and the Model Law on Electronic Commerce, and the support for electronic awards. The meeting also considered the relevant texts on the topic of recognition and enforcement of electronic awards.

(CIETAC representative speaking at the meeting)

The representatives of CIETAC delivered a speech at the meeting, introducing the relevant provisions of the CIETAC 2024 Arbitration Rules on electronic service, electronic evidence, electronic award, and the validity of electronic signatures of arbitrators, as well as relevant practices and experiences of CIETAC. It is suggested that the validity and legitimacy of electronic signatures on the awards should be decided in accordance with the law of the seat of arbitration, which attracted general attention from the participants.

Since becoming the observer of UNCITRAL in 2009, CIETAC has continued to participate in the relevant sessions of UNCITRAL Working Groups II, III, and IV, leveraging its professional expertise to voice China's opinions and contribute Chinese wisdom. At the same time, CIETAC actively learns from and absorbs the latest achievements of international arbitration to better promote the development of arbitration in China.