The Singapore Convention Week 2024 (SC Week 2024) took place from August 26-30, bringing together key international figures in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Meticulously organized, the event marked the fifth anniversary of the Singapore Convention, reflecting on its progress and exploring new opportunities for the future. The carefully curated conferences and panels, attended both online and in person by participants from around the world, featured engaging discussions, thought-provoking questions, and constructive debates, significantly contributing to the event’s success. Over 4,500 participants from 90 countries attended, including Ferda Canözer Paksoy, Founder of ADRIstanbul.
Under the theme “Distinguishing Disruptions in a Changing World,” this prestigious event brought together global leaders and experts to examine developments that deeply affect the business and legal spheres. The focus was on how to differentiate genuine disruptions from distractions in the evolving global order and how to accurately assess the associated risks and opportunities.
Key Topics and Discussions
Participants from countries such as Singapore, China, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom contributed to shaping future strategies for dispute resolution through a series of conferences, panels, discussions, and workshops held throughout the week. Key figures, including Singapore’s Minister for Law, K Shanmugam SC, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, Edwin Tong SC, and Senior Minister of State for Transport, Murali Pillai SC, shared their expert insights.
The UNCITRAL Academy Conference and Capacity Building Workshops were among the most highly anticipated events at SC Week 2024. These sessions addressed forward-looking topics such as the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on dispute resolution and the evolving landscape of net-zero disputes, while also exploring the relationship between mediation and arbitration.
SC Week 2024 not only aimed to address current challenges but also provided a strong vision for the future of dispute resolution. The event delved into how innovation can further strengthen dispute resolution strategies, how the next generation of professionals can be nurtured, and how new technologies can be effectively integrated into the field.
Highlights from SC Week 2024
- Singapore’s Minister for Law, K Shanmugam SC, in his opening speech at the fifth Singapore Convention Week, highlighted the event’s role in fostering “dialogue and innovation” within dispute resolution. He noted the challenges faced by businesses and lawyers due to global developments, particularly conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, which have caused uncertainty in international trade. Shanmugam emphasized the importance of multilateralism and its benefits for all.
- The Singapore Mediation Convention, which opened for signature in 2019, has become a critical global agreement by enhancing the enforceability of international mediation agreements. To date, it has been signed by 57 countries and ratified by 14, reaffirming its significance.
- The Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) introduced an AI-powered mediation tool designed to speed up mediation processes by analyzing the parties’ positions and case specifics. SIMC Chairman George Lim SC expressed their openness to international collaborations to further develop AI applications in mediation.
- There was notable interest in mediation within sectors such as cryptocurrency and energy. SIMC has handled over 430 cases, with a total value of approximately USD 18 billion. Specifically, it resolved 8 cryptocurrency disputes and established a working group to address future challenges in this field.
- At the UNCITRAL Academy Capacity Building Workshop, discussions focused on the combined use of arbitration and mediation, with a consensus that mediation is rapidly gaining popularity as a solution for cross-border commercial disputes.
- The panel titled “Net Zero Disputes – Aspiration or Inspiration?” explored the complex legal issues surrounding companies’ net-zero emissions commitments. Topics such as the effectiveness of net-zero pledges, accountability, and disputes over emissions targets were discussed. The panel also considered how alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms can help resolve these disputes, and how collaboration can drive sustainable outcomes.
- In the “Panel Discussion: Nurturing the Next Generation – From Mentorship to Stewardship,” the role of mentorship and guidance in the development of young legal professionals was examined. Mentorship opens doors of opportunity for the next generation of professionals, making a legal career more accessible and sustainable.
- In the “Live Panel Discussion: The Use of Mediation to Resolve Disputes Involving States,” the role of mediation in disputes involving States, including investor-State disputes, was discussed. The panel explored themes such as the role of mediation in preventing and mitigating disputes, the types of disputes suitable for mediation, the roles and duties of the mediating parties and the mediator, and the differences between general mediation and investor-State mediation.
