Conclusion of the Judicial Dialogue Program on the New York Convention

Conclusion of the Judicial Dialogue Program on the New York Convention

Published Date: 05/03/2025

 

Riyadh hosted the International Judicial Colloquia on the New York Convention, marking a significant milestone as the first event of its kind within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This landmark gathering brought together an esteemed group of judges from Supreme Courts, Courts of Appeal and Enforcement across the region, alongside numerous local and international experts. The colloquia aimed to clarify the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention) and foster collaboration between the judiciary and the arbitration industry, ultimately facilitating the enforcement of arbitration awards.

 

Held during the Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025 (RIDW25), the program was strategically partnered with the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with support from the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.


The colloquia aimed to create a transparent dialogue among GCC judges, enhancing their understanding of the New York Convention, which includes 172 member states, including those within the GCC. This convention serves as the legal backbone of international arbitration.


Supervised by ICCA, the colloquia is part of a specialized dialogue program that has been conducted in various countries worldwide, with 40 iterations held to date. The Riyadh event marked the first regional version, featuring a notable participation of judges from across the GCC.


The program showcased 16 arbitration experts from Saudi Arabia, Arab nations, and continents including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It comprised an opening session and a main session with four specialized workshops focused on the convention's application scope and enforcement procedures. Notably, it highlighted recent findings from the Saudi Case Law on arbitration, published by SCCA, and discussed the latest developments in enforcing foreign arbitration awards within GCC jurisdictions.


Additionally, one research session examined the fundamental differences in interpreting the convention's provisions among various judicial systems and their impact on the effectiveness of enforcing foreign arbitration awards. Participants explored key obstacles encountered by parties when attempting to enforce awards from other jurisdictions.


The event also marked the launch of the second edition of the New York Convention Guide, issued by ICCA. This comprehensive reference aims to assist judges and legal practitioners in applying the convention in alignment with international best practices, representing a crucial step toward harmonizing legal interpretations across the Arab world.