Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, QICCA organized the third edition of the conference from March 20-21, 2018, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha.

It was inaugurated by HE Dr. Hassan Lahdan Al-Mohannadi, with the attendance of Qatar Chamber Chairman and QICCA Chairman, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani.

The conference, held under the theme ‘Qatari Law and International Conventions,’ brought together prominent experts, senior figures in global arbitration, consultants, and lawyers from various Arab and foreign countries.

The event coincided with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of International Arbitral Awards, known as the New York Convention of 1958, as well as the 15th anniversary of the State of Qatar’s accession to this important convention.

It also marked the first anniversary of the issuance of the Qatari Arbitration Law, which has been widely praised by arbitration practitioners for its modern and advanced provisions. These provisions align with the spirit of arbitration in an effective manner, positioning the country to become a global center for arbitration.

The conference saw significant participation from professors of arbitration, international contracts, and major projects, as well as directors of arbitration centers, government advisors, international organizations, arbitration practitioners, and law firms from around the world.

Over the two-day conference, a range of important topics were discussed, covering arbitration issues and recent developments. These discussions helped crystallize several key principles contributing to the progress and prosperity of global arbitration laws and rules.

It featured over 30 speakers who shared their diverse experiences and expertise in handling arbitration cases. They also discussed the application of the New York Convention, the world’s most well-known international arbitration treaty, and the impact of the Qatari Arbitration Law in attracting investments and encouraging the flow of foreign capital seeking a modern arbitration environment.

At the closing session, HE Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani announced the conference’s 10 recommendations.

The recommendations emphasized the importance of highlighting the international nature of arbitration, noting that some judgments issued abroad are subject to the New York Convention, which calls for the priority of applying its provisions uniformly by competent judicial authorities. It also cited the principles of Islamic Sharia and its arbitration rules, highlighting their conformity with modern general arbitration principles.

The recommendations called for the regular improvement of arbitration center rules for better case management and enhanced transparency throughout all arbitration phases to increase trust among arbitration users. It also suggested adopting new mechanisms to prevent disputes during the execution period of contracts to avoid delays or interruptions in project delivery.

Finally, the recommendations underlined the principle of autonomy for parties in arbitration agreements and allowing arbitrators some authority in cases involving multiple parties.