ICAC Participated in the CLDP Global ADR Colloquium and Symposium in Istanbul

Events: Organizers and Participants

Representatives of the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICAC) participated in the global ADR events sponsored and organised by the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce in partnership with the Istanbul Arbitration Centre (ISTAC), held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, from 6 to 8 May 2026, with the support of the U.S. Department of State.

The ICAC delegation included the Vice-Presidents of the ICAC, Ms. Inna Yemelianova and Mr. Volodymyr Nahnybida, as well as the Vice-Secretary of the ICAC Secretariat, Ms. Olha Boiko.

The events brought together representatives of arbitration and mediation institutions, as well as judges, leading experts, practitioners from numerous jurisdictions, including Azerbaijan, Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and other States.

On 6 May 2026, the representatives of the ICAC took part in the Global ADR Colloquium: Institutional and Judiciary Convergence in Global ADR, devoted to issues concerning interaction between ADR institutions and the judiciary, development of arbitration- and mediation-friendly legal environments, and strengthening institutional cooperation. It was particularly valuable that representatives of the Supreme Court also joined the discussions, namely Larisa Rohach, President of the Commercial Cassation Court within the Supreme Court, and Kostiantyn Pilkov, Judge-Spokesperson of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court.

On 7–8 May 2026, the ICAC delegation also participated in the Global Dispute Resolution Symposium, which brought together representatives of arbitration and mediation centres, other ADR institutions from different jurisdictions, as well as experts and representatives of the legal profession.

Key Issues and Topics Discussed

During the events, the representatives of the ICAC participated in a number of professional discussions and working sessions focused on the following issues: development of global ADR ecosystems; strengthening institutional interaction between ADR mechanisms and courts, law schools, bar associations, and the business community; modern approaches to the effective administration of arbitration and mediation proceedings; digitalisation of arbitral procedures; mechanisms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of ADR; contemporary approaches to ensuring transparency and trust in ADR mechanisms; ethical standards applicable to arbitrators and mediators; development of international institutional cooperation among arbitral institutions; and prospects for the resolution of investment and infrastructure disputes.

Particular attention during the events was devoted to issues relating to the adaptation of arbitral institutions to contemporary global challenges, the necessity of implementing innovative managerial and technological solutions, as well as ensuring the maximum efficiency, accessibility, and predictability of international arbitration and mediation procedures.

Participants also discussed prospects for expanding international institutional cooperation, exchange of experience between arbitral centres from different jurisdictions, and the importance of developing a modern ADR ecosystem capable of effectively responding to the needs of international business and investors.

Special attention during the discussions was devoted to the role of international arbitration and mediation in ensuring a stable investment environment, supporting international trade, and developing an effective dispute resolution framework amid global economic and geopolitical challenges.

The programme also covered sector-specific approaches to ADR in the fields of infrastructure, construction, and finance, emphasising the importance of sectoral expertise of arbitral centres and the development of trust in arbitral jurisdictions.

Important discussions additionally concerned differences in the needs and expectations of international and local businesses, user-oriented institutional rules, development of local expertise, and the transformation of local ADR centres into regional dispute resolution hubs.

A particularly valuable part of the programme was the several-hour interactive brainstorming session during which speakers and participants jointly worked on identifying and formulating the Core Pillars for Building a Successful ADR Center.

This collaborative work became not only a practical outcome of the discussions, but also a practical step-by-step tool for the further development of ADR institutions. It combined institutional, judicial, academic, and practical approaches aimed at identifying the key elements necessary for establishing sustainable, reputable, effective, and internationally recognised ADR centres.

Presentation of the Special Publication “ADR: Practice and Governance for States”

During the events, the new publication “ADR: Practice and Governance for States” was presented – a comprehensive practical guide aimed at assisting States, institutions, developers of internal institutional policies and rules, judges, counsel, and ADR practitioners in building effective dispute resolution systems and sustainable ADR ecosystems.

The publication was prepared within the framework of an intensive collaborative international Book Sprint process and brought together leading experts in the fields of arbitration, mediation, judicial systems, institutional administration, investment disputes, and ADR policy development.

The book addresses a broad range of issues, including the historical development and growing role of ADR, mediation and arbitration frameworks, investor-State dispute resolution, early-stage case management in arbitration proceedings, judicial support mechanisms, enforcement-related issues, as well as practical roadmaps for strengthening independent ADR institutions and national ADR ecosystems.

The ICAC delegation highly appreciates this initiative and regards the publication as an important practical contribution to the further development of arbitration and mediation infrastructure worldwide, particularly in the context of strengthening institutional capacity, developing judicial cooperation, and enhancing effective dispute resolution mechanisms for both States and businesses.

More detailed information regarding the publication and its contents is available here.

Organisers and Speakers

The ICAC expresses its sincere gratitude to the representatives of the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the exceptionally high level of organisation of the events, their professionalism, openness to cooperation, and continued support for the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the international level.

The ICAC delegation expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Zmarak Khan, Deputy Chief Counsel, whose highly professional organisation and moderation of discussions, comprehensive and thoughtful approach to complex issues, and ability to build meaningful connections between different topics significantly contributed to the substantive depth and practical value of the events.

The ICAC delegation also highly appreciated the contribution of Mr. Eric Ives, Senior Counsel for Europe, whose cross-cultural perspective, openness to dialogue, constructive approach, and genuine readiness to support and encourageparticipants throughout the programme created a truly professional and intellectually engaging environment for discussions.

The ICAC also expresses its sincere appreciation to Ms. Vanessa Padilla and Ms. Erna Hrstic, CLDP International Program Specialists, for their constant support, courtesy, openness, and exceptional readiness to assist participants throughout all stages of the programme. Their significant contribution to the organisation of the events, continuous communication with participants, and efforts aimed at creating an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, openness, and positive engagement were highly valued and sincerely appreciated by the ICAC delegation

The ICAC would also like to express its special gratitude to Ms. Raquel Martinez Sloan, Attorney-Advisor (International) with the CLDP in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, whose acquaintance with the ICAC management at the beginning of March this year made possible the participation of ICAC representatives in the above-mentioned events and laid the foundation for the further development of cooperation with the CLDP.

Such cooperation acquires particular significance in light of the recently adopted Law of Ukraine concerning the expansion of the jurisdiction of international commercial arbitration (Draft Law No. 12141), as well as in the context of ongoing efforts aimed at developing institutional infrastructure for the resolution of investment disputes, including disputes related to infrastructure projects, post-war recovery, and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The ICAC also expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Zahid Omarzai, Legal Specialist (ADR) of the CLDP, Mr. Levi Latoz, International Program Specialist, and other members of the CLDP team for their valuable assistance, support, and continuous coordination in relation to the participation in these events.

The ICAC also expresses its sincere appreciation to all distinguished speakers, experts, and participants who contributed to the professional discussions through their substantive presentations, practical approaches, and unique institutional and professional experience, thereby creating a truly meaningful platform for discussing current trends and future prospects for the further development of international arbitration, mediation, and ADR ecosystems on a global scale, including:

Yasin Ekmen – Secretary General, Istanbul Arbitration Centre (ISTAC);
Honourable Dato’ Mary Lim Thiam Suan – Former Federal Court Judge of Malaysia; President, AIAC Court of Arbitration;
Serena Lee – President & CEO, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR);
Emad Hussein – International Arbitrator & Accredited Mediator; Deputy President, International Court of Arbitration, OIC-AC;
Rebecca Price – United States District Court for the Southern District of New York;
Honorable Jill A. Morris – United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri;
Honorable Judge Robert Levy – United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York;
Justice Hassan Aurangzeb – Pakistan Supreme Court;
Don De Amicis – Georgetown University Law Center;
Othmane Benlafkih – Associate, Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP;
Maciej Durbas – Partner, KKG Legal;
Ylli Dautaj – Associate Professor, Durham Law School;
Fahira Brodlija – Legal Advisor, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH;
Beka Injia – Secretary General, GIAC;
Irakli Kandashvili – Chairman, Georgian Bar Association;
Olga Kostyshyna – Ukrainian Bar Association
Candan Yasan Tepetaş – Istanbul Bilgi University;
Dr. Ercüment Erdem – Founder and Senior Partner, Erdem & Erdem;
Okan Demirkan – Partner, KDK Law Firm;
as well as other distinguished experts and speakers who contributed to the success of the events.

Together with its international partners, the professional community, and all relevant stakeholders, the ICAC continues actively working towards the development and implementation of the most effective modern instruments for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and mediation.

Particular attention is devoted by the ICAC to the further development of Ukraine as a modern, open, predictable, and internationally recognised place of arbitration, ensuring dispute resolution in accordance with the highest standards of independence, efficiency, procedural fairness, and the rule of law, based on internationally recognised approaches and standards in the field of international arbitration and ADR.