Singapore Convention Week 2026 Brings Global Community Together to Reaffirm Enduring Principles of Rule of Law and Fairness in a Changing World

23 AUG 2026

23 August 2026 Posted in Press releases

1. The Singapore Convention Week (SC Week), Singapore’s flagship dispute resolution event, returns this year from 24 to 28 August 2026. Last year, the SC Week 2025 recorded more than 5,600 attendances, with participants coming from more than 100 countries. Organised by the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and other partner organisations, SC Week 2026 aims to bring arbitrators, mediators, policymakers and senior practitioners together to discuss and exchange perspectives on emerging trends, shared challenges and new innovations in dispute resolution.

2. This year’s theme, “Timeless Principles, Timely Solutions: Nurturing Trust in a Changing World”, reflects the need to uphold principles of fairness and rule of law while adapting to geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and evolving cross-border relationships in an era of change.

3. This year’s SC Week coincides with two major milestones: SGLaw200, commemorating 200 years of Singapore’s judicial and legal system since the Second Charter of Justice in 1826, and the 60th anniversary of UNCITRAL, commemorating six decades of advancing international trade law and harmonising dispute resolution across the globe. Both milestones rest on the shared foundation of the rule of law, fairness and neutrality – principles that have been and continue to be key to shaping and strengthening dispute resolution in today’s landscape.

4. As we mark this special edition of SC Week, the Singapore Convention on Mediation (SCM) has grown to 60 signatories, including China, India, and the United States, and over 20 contracting parties, nine of which joined last year.

UNCITRAL Academy

5. This year’s UNCITRAL Academy takes on a special significance with the 60th anniversary of UNCITRAL. The Conference and Industry Capacity-Building Workshop will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the Shangri-la Singapore.

  • The UNCITRAL Academy Conference on 25 August addresses the critical intersection of trust and technology. It will examine how trust remains foundational as technology reshapes global commerce and dispute resolution, the enduring importance of human judgment, amidst increasing digitalisation, and a debate on how artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice. The Conference will feature a comprehensive line-up of panel discussions and fireside chats, exploring pertinent issues that businesses and the legal industry face today. Topics include the use of artificial intelligence for mediation and cross-border disputes, the ethics and emerging government frameworks surrounding AI, and the implications of using AI for businesses, institutions and the practice of law. Speakers include Justice Sushil Nair, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Singapore, and well as C-suite business leaders and leading lawyers.

  • Capacity-Building Workshops on 25 and 27 August will offer practical insights and interactive learning designed for the future legal landscape.

i. Held in partnership with the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), the Industry Workshop will explore how AI tools can support mediators in managing complex, multi-party, and cross-border disputes, alongside key considerations on responsible use, access to justice, and emerging governance frameworks.

ii. The Government Workshop will feature a special session with ministers and senior government leaders sharing their jurisdictions’ progress towards adoption of the Convention. Panellists will provide government and institutional perspectives on the Convention's practical implementation, followed by a discussion for invited officials on dispute mitigation and advanced mediation techniques anchored on a hypothetical investor-State scenario.

Partner Events

6. With over 70 partner events, SC Week will offer ample opportunities for participants to discuss and exchange perspectives on emerging trends, shared challenges and new innovations in dispute resolution. Highlights include:

  • SIAC Symposium 2026 by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC): SIAC’s flagship conference this year will examine the challenges and opportunities facing businesses operating across borders in today’s complex geopolitical and trade environment. Breakout sessions will cover topics, including cross-border disputes involving China, India and the United States; energy transition and infrastructure disputes in Southeast Asia; business risks and legal recourse arising from supply chain and other disruptions; arbitration trends and developments in Middle East transactions; and legal technology and its impact on arbitration practice.

  • Maxwell Lecture 2026 by Maxwell Chambers: The lecture will be delivered by Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), who will speak on “ICSID at 60: Deepening Impact – From Arbitration to Investment Climate Leadership”. The event will also include a welcome ceremony marking the opening of ICSID’s satellite premises at Maxwell Chambers. The new ICSID Singapore Office will be established within the World Bank Group Singapore Office.

  • Future of Commercial Diplomacy: Mediation Amidst Disruptive Technologies and Geopolitics by the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC): This event explores the growing role of mediation in navigating geopolitical tensions and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, examining how mediation can support businesses and legal practitioners, while considering its potential as a key pillar of commercial diplomacy in an increasingly fragmented and AI-driven world.

  • SIDRA 2026 Survey Launch: Ethics, Integrity and Trust in International Dispute Resolution by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA): This event marks the release of new empirical findings on global dispute resolution practices, offering data-driven insights into user preferences, trends, and evolving expectations across dispute resolution mechanisms.

  • Energy in Crisis: Navigating Maritime Disputes through Arbitration by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA): This event features a presentation on the global energy crisis and its impact on energy supply, trade, and supply chains, followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders, legal practitioners, and arbitrators examining dispute trends arising from the crisis and how arbitration can effectively address them.

7. Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Tong SC, said: “This is a special year for the Singapore Convention Week, as we mark 200 years of Singapore’s legal heritage and 60 years of UNCITRAL. These milestones remind us that even as the world changes, trust, the rule of law and international cooperation remain as vital as ever. The Singapore Convention Week brings the international legal and business community together to build on these foundations, find solutions to common challenges, and shape a more trusted and resilient future.”

8. Secretary of UNCITRAL Ms Anna Joubin-Bret said: “As UNCITRAL marks its 60th anniversary, the UNCITRAL Academy at Singapore Convention Week provides a fitting opportunity to come together, exchange knowledge and deepen understanding of the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Through dialogue and shared learning, the Academy supports the effective implementation of the Convention and advances UNCITRAL’s longstanding mission of promoting harmonized legal frameworks that facilitate international trade and strengthen the rule of law.”

8. Visit https://www.singaporeconventionweek.sg to find out more about SC Week 2026 and get the latest updates.

MINISTRY OF LAW
23 AUGUST 2026

Last updated on 23 August 2026