Activities for the second Law and Arbitration Week, organized by the Gulf Arbitration Center, kicked off yesterday in the Bahraini capital of Manama. The event will last for five days and brings together more than 60 experts from the Gulf and internationally. During the event, the establishment of the Gulf Committee for Future Arbitrators and Experts was announced, aimed at enabling Gulf talents to play an effective role in developing the commercial arbitration system. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasim Mohamed Al-Badiou, said in his opening speech that arbitration issues and alternative dispute resolution methods have become key pillars in supporting the global economy, especially amid the expansion of cross-border investments, the growth of major projects, and the increasing partnerships between the public and private sectors. He added: «From this perspective, this week provides a high-level dialogue platform that brings together decision-makers, lawyers, arbitrators, experts, and representatives of the public and private sectors to exchange experiences, discuss best practices, and envision the future of the legal and arbitration system in GCC countries». Al-Badiou affirmed that the legal and arbitration systems play a pivotal role in supporting economic growth and enhancing the competitiveness of GCC countries, as clarity in legislation, speed in dispute resolution, and the effectiveness of arbitration mechanisms are key factors in attracting foreign investments, empowering the private sector, and stimulating entrepreneurship. In turn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Commercial Arbitration Center for the Gulf Cooperation Council, Nawaf Khalid Al-Zayani, stated that the Center's strategy since its establishment 33 years ago has placed creating a safe and stable investment climate in GCC countries that earns the trust of businesspeople at the forefront of its priorities. In the same context, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Commercial Arbitration Center for the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Kamal Al-Hamad, said that the Gulf Law and Arbitration Week will honor pioneers in the legal, arbitration, and judicial fields from all legislative, executive, judicial, media, and legal education sectors in GCC countries, in appreciation of their outstanding contributions and efforts in developing legal systems and enhancing justice in the Gulf region. The establishment of the Gulf Committee for Future Arbitrators and Experts was also announced to enable Gulf competencies to play an effective role in developing the commercial arbitration system and to create a future generation that is proficient in arbitration procedures and rules to keep pace with the best local and international developments in the field of arbitration.
