13 Asian Legal Business | December 2024 International Arbitration Cooperation Initiative (2024) International arbitration is an irreplaceable mechanism for resolving cross-border commercial disputes. Economic globalization and digitalization have given remarkable energy and impetus to the high-quality development of international arbitration. It is a common understanding of the global arbitration community that strengthening cooperation will realize the pursuit of excellent and high-quality development of international arbitration for the future. International arbitration community has a good tradition of cooperation. We share same goals of development, work together to promote international arbitration and jointly provide public legal services globally by deepening exchanges, innovating practices and making progress alongside each other. In this context, and in line with the principles of promoting international development and upholding the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and mutual benefit, CIETAC join hands with arbitration institutions of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and other regions across the world, to put forward the following International Arbitration Cooperation Initiative: 1. Safeguarding fairness, justice and ensuring transparency and independence We should uphold the independence and fairness of international arbitration, avoid any form of bias or interference, enhance the transparency and predictability of arbitration, promote it as an effective and preferred method of resolving cross-border disputes, and work together to provide a fair and equitable dispute resolution mechanism for parties around the world. 2. Deepening cultural exchange and promoting win-win cooperation We should respect the legal tradition and cultural difference of all nations, and enhance mutual learning and understanding. In particular, we should encourage the exchange and cooperation by arbitral institutions in rules, practices, and legal cultures to build a harmonious and inclusive cultural ecosystem of international arbitration. 3. Seeking judicial support and enabling cross-border enforcement of arbitral awards We should seek stronger support of national judicial systems for arbitration, and actively participate in the reform and development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). We should work together to promote the worldwide recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards under the New York Convention and to create a better international legal environment for the development of arbitration. 4. Utilizing technological innovation to achieve environmentally friendly arbitration We should jointly promote the development of international arbitration towards intelligence and modernization, explore the application of new technologies in the field of dispute resolution, support electronic document exchange and paperless office practices, and actively explore more intelligent virtual hearings to promote the high-quality development of international arbitration with the aid of technology. 5. Consolidating various ADR mechanisms and improving the quality of arbitration services We should be user-oriented, working together to explore the combination of arbitration, litigation with mediation and other ADR mechanisms, to resolve international commercial disputes in a flexible, efficient and convenient manner, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties equally and to promote a stable, fair and transparent international business environment under the rule of law. 6. Training talents to lay a solid foundation for future development We should join forces to offer the younger generation valuable learning and practical opportunities, enrich their professional knowledge and broaden their international perspectives, with the aim to develop a group of highly qualified, internationally minded arbitration professionals who have passion and creativity to develop international arbitration into a more impartial, efficient and harmonious international dispute resolution system. An old Chinese proverb says: “A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone.” To that end, we should embrace cooperation and openness, and spare no effort to jointly contribute to the development of international arbitration.
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