Riyadh concluded the activities of Riyadh International Disputes Week 2026 (RIDW26), held from February 1 to 5, with high-level participation from government and judicial leaders, judges, legal and arbitration experts, and business leaders from around the world.
The conference discussed the theme “Predictable Dispute Resolution in Uncertain Times” through several tracks addressing the role of strong governance, legal clarity, and effective dispute resolution in building trust and stability. The week featured an intensive scientific program that included opening and keynote speeches, as well as five specialized panel discussions focusing on developing the dispute resolution industry and exploring its global growth prospects.
One of the week’s most prominent events was the Arab Judicial Forum on the New York Convention, which brought together 50 judges from 22 Arab countries and 20 international experts in commercial arbitration. The forum examined challenges related to the application of the 1958 New York Convention, the scope of judicial oversight of arbitral awards, and the interpretation of public policy as a ground for refusing enforcement, in addition to reviewing comparative judicial precedents.
The forum was organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the League of Arab States, and the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research and Studies. Its sessions contributed to deepening shared understanding of arbitration award enforcement mechanisms and enhancing the predictability of judicial rulings, positively impacting the stability of commercial transactions, attracting investment, and strengthening institutional integration between the national judiciary and the arbitration system.
As part of investing in young legal talent and building future arbitrators, the seventh edition of the International Commercial Arbitration Moot concluded, with wide participation from student teams representing colleges of Sharia, law, and legal studies from 25 countries. Over a nine-month journey, participants gained practical experience in international commercial arbitration, including drafting legal memoranda and conducting oral pleadings in a simulated case under the supervision of a select group of international arbitrators and experts.
The week witnessed the organization of an international forum marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), highlighting the depth of the Kingdom’s partnership with international organizations and showcasing UNCITRAL’s role in unifying international trade law and supporting global investment stability, while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s position as a trusted host for major international legal events.
RIDW26 recorded strong organizational momentum and broad participation, with 95 live events organized by 74 host entities, involving 59 member organizations and institutions, and supported by 18 sponsors. A total of 380 speakers participated in the week’s activities.
More than 8,300 active accounts were created on the week's platform, while on-site attendance exceeded 6,100 participants representing 104 nationalities, reflecting the growing international character of the event and its standing as a global forum for dialogue on dispute resolution.
Participants affirmed the importance of sustaining this professional momentum and strengthening partnership between the national judiciary and the arbitration system, commending the Kingdom’s success in bringing together a diverse international gathering and in consolidating Riyadh’s position as a leading regional and global hub for legal dialogue and the future of commercial justice.
About Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
Established by Saudi Cabinet Decree in 2014, the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration is an independent, non-profit organization providing arbitration and mediation services in line with international standards. Headquartered in Riyadh, SCCA manages domestic and cross-border commercial disputes, offering modern procedural rules and institutional support. Its mission is to ensure efficient, neutral, and enforceable dispute resolution that fosters business confidence and legal certainty in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. For more information, visit sadr.org.
