3rd Edition (2023)Past Edition

World Arbitration Update 2023

Investment Arbitration · ISDS Reform · Energy · Technology · Armed Conflict

Dates

May 17–25, 2023

Cities

Mexico City · MENA · Asia & Oceania · Europe · Washington D.C. · Bogotá

Bringing together the global arbitration community across Mexico City, Middle East & Africa, Asia & Oceania, Europe, Washington D.C., and Bogotá.

About WAU

WORLD ARBITRATION UPDATE — 3rd Edition

Decentralization and Update of International Arbitration

Rigorous and remarkable counsel, arbitrators and academics are living and practicing beyond the centers of international arbitration. There are large, medium, and boutique firms, as well as solo practitioners, actively advancing international arbitration and public international law in non-traditional venues in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

The World Arbitration Update (WAU) updated the global community on key and novel topics of investment and international commercial arbitration, and public international law in a decentralized forum.

The WAU panels followed a dynamic format where a presenter provided an update of the issue the panel addressed, including relevant treaty and international customary norms, as well as case law. An open discussion by the panelists followed, including practitioners, counsel for investors, counsel for States, arbitrators, officials of international organizations and arbitration centers, and academics.

WAU connects different regions and the global community, and aims to decentralize and further expand international arbitration and public international law. At WAU, practitioners, States, private parties, arbitrators, international organizations, academics and students can engage with each other and nourish the conversation on investment and international commercial arbitration.

By connecting regions and perspectives, WAU seeks to decentralise the conversation and broaden participation in international arbitration and public international law — providing a platform where practitioners, States, private parties, arbitrators, international organisations, academics, and students can exchange ideas, deepen understanding, and contribute to a more connected and informed global community.

WAU Founders — José Antonio Rivas & Ian A. Laird

Quick Facts

Event at a Glance

Format

In-person + Virtual

Dates

May 17–25, 2023

Cities

Mexico City · MENA · Asia & Oceania · Europe · Washington D.C. · Bogotá

Languages

English · Spanish

Edition

3rd

Theme

Investment Arbitration, ISDS Reform, Energy, Technology, Armed Conflict

Event Locations

Venue Details

Location

Americas: Mexico City

Day

Wed 17 May (Educational) · Thu 18 May · Fri 19 May

Host

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) — Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas

Timezone

CST (UTC-6)

Location

Middle East & Africa

Day

Monday, 22 May

Host

Virtual

Timezone

AST / WET

Location

Asia & Oceania

Day

Tuesday, 23 May

Host

Singapore (in-person for select panels)

Timezone

SGT (UTC+8)

Location

Europe

Day

Tuesday 23 May – Wednesday 24 May

Host

Washington D.C. & Madrid (Eversheds Sutherland)

Timezone

CEST (UTC+2)

Location

Diverse Topics

Day

Thursday, 25 May

Host

Virtual · Washington D.C. · Bogotá

Timezone

EST (UTC-5)

Schedule

Full Event Program

Host & Date

UNAM, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas

Wednesday 17 May – Friday 19 May 2023

Wed 3:30–5:30 pm

Session 1: Educational Session — Introduction to Investor-State Arbitration

Panel

Thu 9:30–10:15 am

Session 2: Keynote Speech — Meg Kinnear

Keynote

Thu 10:30–11:45 am

Panel 3: Do's and Don'ts in Investment Arbitration

Panel

Thu 12:00–1:15 pm

Panel 4: Treaty Disciplines on Damages

Panel

Thu 3:00–4:15 pm

Panel 5: Is Latin America Special?

Panel

Thu 4:30–6:00 pm

Panel 6: Solving Problems of States, Investors and Society

Panel

Fri 9:00–10:15 am

Panel 7: Mexico's NAFTA Experience and USMCA

Panel

Fri 10:20–11:35 am

Panel 8: Lessons from WTO for ISDS

Panel

Fri 11:45 am–1:00 pm

Panel 9: Modern Technology in Investment Arbitration

Panel
Program Details

Panel Topics & Descriptions

Featured Speakers

Notable Voices

Keynote Speakers

Meg Kinnear

Secretary General, ICSID

Notable Speakers

José Antonio Rivas

Xtrategy LLP / Georgetown Law

Professor Yannick Radi

UCLouvain