The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) proudly announces the Kingdom of Bahrain's formal accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the "Singapore Convention on Mediation." This significant event took place on 8 April 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Bahrain became the sixteenth State Party. The Convention will officially take effect for the Kingdom on 17 August 2025.
Professor Marike Paulsson, Secretary-General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution and Vice-Chair of the BCDR Board of Trustees, participated in the formal deposit ceremony alongside Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary-General of UNCITRAL, and H.E. Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York. Her participation emphasizes BCDR's strategic alignment with global initiatives that support international trade law and modernize dispute resolution. The Singapore Convention is a landmark treaty providing a harmonized legal framework for enforcing international mediated settlement agreements, reducing legal risks and encouraging global commerce.
Bahrain's accession to this Convention strategically supports its goal of becoming a leading international dispute resolution hub in the Middle East, aligning its legal infrastructure with national economic diversification efforts. This commitment is reflected in BCDR's dedication to offering a full range of dispute resolution services, including mediation. BCDR's commercial mediation services, governed by its comprehensive Mediation Rules, provide an efficient and cost-effective way to resolve commercial disputes. The availability of an enforceable framework for mediated settlements will significantly boost the attractiveness and effectiveness of BCDR's mediation services.
Professor Marike Paulsson commented, "Bahrain's accession to the Singapore Convention demonstrates the Kingdom's forward-thinking approach in international trade and commercial dispute resolution. This move showcases a continuous pursuit of modern, effective, and collaborative practices that will benefit businesses both domestically and internationally."
This important step marks a new chapter for Bahrain in fostering a competitive and transparent environment for international trade. By joining the Singapore Convention, Bahrain is well-positioned to strengthen its reputation as a modern and reliable hub for global business and dispute resolution.