Singapore to Host Singapore Convention Week 2024

The Singapore Convention Week (SC Week) 2024 will return from 26 to 30 August this year. This follows a successful SC Week 2023, which saw more than 4,500 participants from around the world discussing matters on global dispute resolution.

SC Week 2024 continues to be a platform that brings together thought leaders, experts, practitioners and policy makers from the legal, business, and government sectors to discuss emerging trends, address common issues, deliberate on new innovations and exchange insights in the areas of dispute resolution. This is increasingly important as the world undergoes rapid transformation brought about by technological advancements, economic shifts, and geopolitical changes.

Organised by the Singapore Ministry of Law (Min Law), in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and supporting partner organisations, SC Week 2024 recognises the need for the international legal and business fraternity to navigate the increasingly complex global landscape. Centered around the theme of 'Separating Disruptions from Distractions in an Evolving World', SC Week 2024 will focus on providing insights into harnessing emerging technologies and exercising strategic foresight to thrive amidst continuous change. SC Week this year will feature an extensive line-up of events on dispute resolution, including panel discussions, workshops, debates, lectures, social and networking events:

The UNCITRAL Academy 2024: The UNCITRAL Academy 2024, which comprises a Conference and two Capacity-Building Workshops, is the headline event of SC Week 2024. It is jointly organised by Min Law and UNCITRAL and will be held on 27 and 28 August.

This year's Conference will cover some of the latest industry topics which impact the dispute resolution scene, legal practitioners and businesses - the applications and challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence in dispute resolution, the journey to net zero and the role of mediation in resolving climate disputes, best practices in mentoring the next generation of international dispute resolution practitioners, and more.

Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam SC will be delivering the Welcome Address at the opening of the Conference. This will be followed by the Opening Remarks by UNCITRAL Secretary, Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, which will be delivered via a recording. At least 40 global experts from various fields will share their insights and analysis in the subsequent panel discussions, fireside chat and workshops.

The Industry Capacity-Building Workshop this year will focus on mixed-mode dispute resolution frameworks and explore how this, as well as how mediation utilized alongside other appropriate dispute resolution, expands opportunities and solutions.

The Government Capacity-Building Workshop will feature updates from different countries on developments in their jurisdictions vis-à-vis the Singapore Convention on Mediation. The Workshop will also explore issues relating to the use of mediation to resolve disputes involving States, including in the investor-State context.