Conference programme

Discussion on the legal challenges and strategies that global companies face when navigating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in a world with varying regulations and practices (eg, EU v US executive orders). We will explore how to manage DEI compliance in both progressive and restrictive environments and lessons learned so far, highlighting the approaches needed to balance and deal with conflicting regulations and practices. The 2025 DEI Workplace Report in Diversity.com shows DEI programmes have taken many forms across the workplace over the past two decades. While some organisations continue to lead in this space, others have recently scaled back due to political, legal or reputational concerns.

This session will introduce Ales Bialiatski, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, in conversation with Berit Reiss-Andersen, who was Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee at the time the award was presented.

Ales Bialiatski is a longstanding human rights defender and the founder of the Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna. Throughout his career, he has been imprisoned on several occasions because of his human rights work. Following his release in a prisoner exchange in 2024, he is now living in exile in Norway.

Presented by the China Working Group of the IBA Asia Pacific Forum.

The strong economic tie between China and Europe is one of the prominent and solid pillars of today’s world but it has been tested in the turbulence of the ongoing trade war around the world due to the policy changes by Trump’s government. While decreasing investment in the US, China’s increasing investment in Europe is attracting more and more attention while Europe keeps its pace of investments in China. A global watch is needed more than ever on China’s economic relationship with Europe  and its development, changes, challenges and trends. This session will focus on China’s investments in Europe, trying to provide a vivid vision to the audience which goes beyond the specific legal issues in any specialised legal areas. The panel will discuss those hot topics and also recent case studies from different perspectives including the changes in investment structure, compliance requirements, technology transfer, labour issues, social responsibilities and more.  

This session will explore how law practice in the Arab world both aligns with and diverges from international norms. It will examine regional legal traditions, regulatory environments, and professional practices, highlighting the similarities, differences, and cross-border considerations that shape the work of lawyers locally and globally.

International arbitration offers dynamic career paths – but breaking into the field remains a challenge for young practitioners. This discussion will shed light on the evolving landscape of arbitration, mentorship opportunities, and how emerging lawyers can build credibility, networks and expertise early in their careers. Hear from experienced arbitrators and rising stars as they share lessons learned and practical advice for charting your path in this competitive field.

In February 2026, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women adopted the addendum to CEDAW General Recommendation No. 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations. Marking the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, the addendum calls for a recommitment to the WPS agenda and a renewed dedication to multilateralism.

This addendum is considered a landmark development and addresses the changing face of conflict in light of the weaponisation of AI, climate emergencies, educational violence, food insecurity, renewed negotiations on nuclear non-proliferation, and the rise of cyberspace and outer space as new battlegrounds. The addendum addresses the critical role of women in conflict prevention, peace negotiations and post-conflict transitional justice, particularly in relation to the WPS agenda, and strengthens the call for survivor-centred access to justice and an end to the continuing cycle of impunity for gender-based violence in conflict. The addendum emphasises the full and equal participation of women in international law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law. It also addresses the nexus between conflict minerals and sexual violence, enforced disappearances and forced marriage, and the continuum linking climate change, the feminisation of poverty, displacement and conflict, and structural forms of discrimination.

The session will focus on how the addendum could help to address some of the ongoing challenges faced by women globally.

This panel will discuss the main challenges faced by shipping companies and freight forwarders, particularly in relation to cross-border intragroup transactions of international freight services. Topics include the qualification of global affiliates as agent or principal for tax purposes in each jurisdiction, intragroup payments and source taxation, and potential limitations under tax treaties.

This session will examine how geopolitical fragmentation, shifting regulatory regimes, ever-evolving climate policy are transforming cross-border M&A in the oil and gas sector. With a global and regional lens, it will explore how rising protectionism and energy security concerns are reshaping deal dynamics across different jurisdictions and creating new opportunities. The discussion will also highlight emerging due diligence frontiers, strategic use of AI in M&A, innovative approaches to allocating and mitigating political and regulatory risk, and drafting strategies that can build flexibility and resilience into contractual frameworks.

Since the litigation involving BHP and the Ok Tedi mine in Papua New Guinea in the late 1990s, there has been an increasing trend towards recognising litigation funding as well as class actions as effective modes of supporting litigation designed to redress the wrongs associated with environmental harm.   Some of these strategies have been mooted in connection with concerns about climate change. Judges and advocates will discuss the trend towards recognising litigation funding across various jurisdictions, as well as the different ways in which class actions have been recognised and supported.  How these have been utilised in connection with various types of claims involving litigation over the environment will be addressed and explained, as will the scope for taking gradual advantage of these litigation strategies.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are standard tools for protecting confidentiality in commercial transactions, employment relationships and dispute settlements. However, when NDAs intersect with allegations of criminal conduct, ethical breaches, harassment, misconduct by professionals, or matters of clear public interest, their legitimacy and enforceability become far more complex.

This session will examine the legal, ethical and policy boundaries of NDAs across jurisdictions. Can an NDA lawfully prevent disclosure of potential criminal activity? When does confidentiality improperly hinder the reporting of wrongdoing or obstruction of justice? What duties do lawyers have when negotiating NDAs involving allegations of misconduct? How do courts and regulators view the use – or misuse – of confidentiality clauses in such contexts?

The offshore wind industry is facing rising costs from inflation and interest rates, supply chain bottlenecks, regulatory and political policy uncertainty, lengthy permitting processes, and grid connection delays. We will explore how regulatory policies, project structures and contracting models affect the ability to finance and operate projects profitably and contribute towards the energy transition.

Corporations and directors are increasingly facing criminal liability for breaches of health and psychosocial duties owed to workers. This panel will outline recent developments and what directors and companies should be doing to ensure a compliance to manage liability and establish a culture of safety and well-being in their organisation.

This panel looks at the intersection between music, art, protest and the law. Where artistic expression through performance, lyrics and art becomes politically contentious and its use in criminal prosecutions, legal proceedings and investigations. It will also explore how artists navigate the world of protest and the protection of freedom of expression.

Unicorns may be attributed high valuations, but if the Initial Public Offering (IPO) market is not available (generally or for a specific unicorn) and cash is needed urgently, what are your options? The panel will disucss potential solutions and pitfalls.