Singapore to Put Forward Bid to Host Multilateral Investment Tribunal

1. Singapore will be putting forward its bid to host the Multilateral Investment Tribunal (“MIT”) that is currently being negotiated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) Working Group III (“WG III”), as part of its work on investor-State dispute settlement (“ISDS”) reforms.

Multilateral Investment Tribunal

2. In recent years, there has been a significant uptick in ISDS disputes. Increasingly complex global challenges have led to States increasing regulation in policy areas with potential impact on investments. This has resulted in more ISDS disputes between States and investors, which are typically dealt with via arbitration proceedings. The current framework has encountered several limitations, including (a) legal uncertainty arising from arbitral decisions, (b) concerns on the independence, impartiality and diversity of arbitrators; and (c) inefficiency associated with the costs and duration of ISDS arbitral proceedings.

3. There is thus impetus for the proposal at UNCITRAL WG III to establish the MIT with a view to resolving these concerns. The MIT is envisioned to be a permanent standing tribunal, like the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”), comprising a bench of independent, elected members serving fixed terms which would hear international investment disputes arising between investors and States.

Singapore Prepared to Host MIT

4. As one of the most open economies in the world and strong proponent of the rule of law, Singapore supports a strong and robust ISDS framework. The MIT would make an important contribution to strengthening confidence in the international investment regime by providing an additional pathway for ISDS cases to be resolved. As a permanent body dedicated to hear international investment disputes, the MIT would promote greater coherence and predictability in international investment law, while addressing any concerns regarding independence and impartiality through its bench of elected members.

5. Singapore is prepared to play a part in the establishment of the MIT, including hosting the MIT in Singapore. To enhance the accessibility of the MIT to its end users, Singapore is also prepared to support an assistance fund for developing and least developed countries to access the MIT’s functions, and provide translation and transcription services, as part of our bid to host the MIT.

6. As a well-connected, stable and impartial jurisdiction, Singapore is well-placed to serve the dispute resolution needs of all users around the globe. Singapore’s extensive disputes settlement eco-system offers a full suite of first-in class services including arbitration, mediation and adjudication. If hosted in Singapore, the MIT would benefit from the presence of leading intergovernmental dispute resolution institutions such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration (“PCA”) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) which are already established in Singapore, as well as a vibrant legal services market comprising international law firms from across the world.

7. Singapore’s firm interest in hosting the MIT is consistent with our longstanding support for multilateralism, the international rule of law and amicable dispute settlement. Singapore has and will continue to participate actively and constructively in the multilateral efforts at WG III to complete its mandate on ISDS reform and towards the establishment of the MIT. Singapore stands ready to partner interested States and international organisations including the PCA and ICSID, to achieve this.

MINISTRY OF LAW
25 AUGUST 2026

Last updated on 25 August 2026