Message from Co-Chairs
Message from the Co-Chairs
Kate Brown de Vejar, Dietmar W. Prager and Patricia Saiz
New Horizons
At our recent 27th Annual IBA Arbitration Day held in Abu Dhabi we were excited to introduce our 'New Horizons' programme focusing on the influence of new technologies, sectors and geographies on the evolution of international arbitration. This included panels on the complexities of projects in outer space, desert and sea environments, new energies (such as green hydrogen, energy storage and the electrification of everything), smart cities and virtual assets. Meanwhile, attendees at the IBA Arb40 Symposium heard a thought provoking speech entitled 'Soft law, soft behaviour and hard truths' by VK Rajah SC, see here for the full speech.
In-house counsel attendance at IBA Arbitration Day 2026
IBA Arbitration Day 2026 launched the Committee’s initiative to increase in-house counsel involvement by offering free registration to 30 representatives. Combined with a dedicated panel and networking event, the conference brought together in-house counsel from around the globe and diverse industries, markedly increasing their representation in the Committee’s flagship event. The initiative was well-received, with attendees highlighting the 'outstanding' sessions and speakers, 'engaging and highly valuable discussions', and the ’great opportunity to connect’.
This initiative supports the Committee’s goal of engaging with in-house counsel, key stakeholders in the IBA’s mission to promote international arbitration. If you are or know of in-house counsel interested in the IBA’s work, please contact Jan-Michael Ahrens and Melissa Magliana (Corporate Counsel Forum Liaison Officers and Co-Chairs of the In-House Counsel Working Group). And stay tuned for IBA Arbitration Day in Vienna on 19 March 2027!
Arbitration Committee by-laws
In 2025 we launched our Arbitration Committee by-laws, which serve as the constitution of our Committee. These by-laws govern the content of the officer roles and term limits as well as progression through the Committee. This is a major step towards improving the transparency of our community. They will be published on the IBA’s website soon.
Committee leadership roles
Any member of the Committee is eligible to participate in the activities of the Committee, including in holding a leadership role. We keep a running list of expressions of interest received, so if you are a member and you are interested in getting more involved in our work, please send your EOI, explaining how your experience or background will add value to our work, by 30 April 2026 to Dietmar W. Prager and Kate Brown de Vejar.
New and ongoing projects
Ethics Taskforce
We are launching a taskforce on ethics rules for arbitrators, to be led by former Committee Co-Chair Chiann Bao, together with Yas Banifatemi and Nadine Debbas Achker.
Investment Arbitration Subcommittee
Our Investment Arbitration Subcommittee will shortly be publishing a report on third-party participation in investment arbitration.
IBA podcast series
Look out for this initiative in 2026! Please send any suggestions for topics to Thomas Voisin.
Soft law instrument master classes
The Arbitration Committee is developing a series of master classes on each of the Committee’s soft law instruments, to encourage uniform implementation and assist the adoption of best practices globally. As part of our ongoing series on ‘IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration’ we held events in 2025 in Bratislava and more recently Kyiv, including a ‘Presentation of the Ukrainian Translation and Discussion of the Updates’.
Nationality of arbitrators
We have a new project on the nationality of arbitrators, including whether nationality is still an adequate proxy for independence.
Revised and new guidelines
Our revised guidelines on party representation and new guidelines on res judicata and privilege will go out for consultation this year.
IBA Annual Conference Young Lawyer Scholarship
Every year the IBA offers scholarships to Young Lawyers (35 years old or younger) to attend its flagship Annual Conference. Among other elements, the Scholarship includes waiver of the registration fee, accommodation and round-trip airfare. This year the Arbitration Committee will be offering its first scholarship. For terms and conditions of Scholarship participation and directions see here. The deadline to apply for the Scholarship is Monday, 4 May 2026.
IBA wins award at the GAR Awards
The International Bar Association won the Equal Representation Pledge award at the GAR Awards for the IBA Report on Ethnic Diversity in International Arbitration.
Read the report here.
Upcoming conferences and events
International tax dispute resolution: key items to consider when determining strategy and forum
12 May 2026 1500 - 1630 BST
Webinar
IBA Asia Pacific Arbitration Group Symposium: international arbitration in a fragmented world - geopolitics, sovereign immunity, and new paths to resolution
26 Aug 2026
Singapore
IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026
04 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
Copenhagen , Denmark
IBA Arb40 Symposium − Raising the bar: designing accountability for the next generation of international arbitration
04 Oct 2026
Copenhagen , Denmark