08 Feb, 2026
The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) has concluded its 5th International Conference, held as a flagship event of Riyadh International Disputes Week 2026 (RIDW26), amid high-level official and international participation. Participants included ministers, heads of judicial authorities, leaders of international organizations as well as local and foreign elite arbitration and law experts.
The conference came across as a specialized international platform addressing the theme of ‘Predictable Dispute Resolution in Uncertain Times’. To this end, themes discussed included building confidence and fostering stability by dint of established arbitration practices, legal clarity, and effective settlements, all of which were conducted through an intensified scientific program that included opening remarks, keynote addresses, and five specialized panel discussions that focused on developing dispute settlement industry, and on forecasting its development worldwide.
The conference witnessed a high-level official and international participation, included elite officials such as ministers, high-ranking officers, judges, and international experts such as H.E. Dr. Walid Al-Samaani, Saudi Minister of Justice, H.E. Dr. Khalid Al Yousef, President of the Board of Grievances, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Al Ajaji, President of the Bureau of Experts at the Saudi Council of Ministers, and H.E. Dr. Nedal Alchaar, Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry.
Also, Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission On International Trade Law UNCITRAL, Mr. Audley Sheppard KC, President-Elect of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), H.E. Mr. Murali Pllai, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law & Ministry of Transport, Singapore, as well as a number of leaders of government entities, chief judges, representatives of international organizations, arbitration experts and legal decision makers from different world countries which lent a strategic weight to Riyadh as a pioneer regional and international center for dispute settlement.
The conference commenced with an official opening ceremony, followed by a series of welcoming remarks and introductory presentations. Keynote speeches included a speech by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), and a special commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the UNCITRAL. The ceremony also featured a presentation detailing SCCA’s journey and its pivotal role in advancing the institutional arbitration ecosystem, alongside a keynote from the Strategic Partner of RIDW26.
The first panel discussion, titled "National Strategy, Global Confidence," explored avenues for strengthening legal certainty and investor trust through judicial, legal, and economic policies. This was complemented by a high-level panel discussion, "Syria: Progress, Stability, and Future Investment," which examined the role of arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in upholding the rule of law and enhancing the investment climate.
During the second panel discussion, participants addressed enforcing the rule of law, offering reflections on UNCITRAL’s contributions to international dispute resolution and its future trajectory. The third panel focused on investment, risk, and dispute resolution, examining how investment funds and financial institutions manage cross-border disputes and balance risk management with return generation in evolving economic landscapes.
The conference continued with a fourth panel discussion on “Corporate Calm,” showcasing how leading global corporations minimize disputes, manage uncertainty, and achieve greater predictability in legal and commercial outcomes. The fifth panel was dedicated to “Building Trust Across Cultures,” addressing the impact of cultural nuances in governance models and legal systems on dispute resolution mechanisms.
The conference concluded with closing remarks centered on the concept of a “resolution mindset” before the day’s program drew to a close with the award ceremony for the 7th edition of the International Arabic Moot Court Competition in Commercial Arbitration.
Set within the broader context of RIDW26, the conference reflected the Week’s strong organizational momentum and broad engagement. A total of 95 events were organized by 74 hosts, with the participation of 59 member institutions and the support of 18 sponsors. Overall, the Week featured 380 speakers, including government leaders, legal experts, and practitioners in arbitration and dispute resolution.
In terms of attendance and engagement, metrics further highlighted the event’s global reach, with over 8,300 active accounts created on the RIDW26 platform. Actual attendance surpassed 6,100 participants representing 104 nationalities, reflecting the growing international profile of both the conference and Riyadh International Disputes Week as a whole.
Participants emphasized the importance of sustaining such specialized international forums. They lauded the event as a premier platform for professional dialogue and knowledge exchange, reinforcing SCCA’s role in developing the institutional arbitration ecosystem and strengthening Riyadh’s position as a leading regional and international hub for legal discourse and dispute resolution.
