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Ambassadors on the Go: The Middle East
As part of our mission to enhance awareness of Swiss Arbitration and promote Switzerland as a premier seat of arbitration, we proudly launched the Swiss Arbitration Ambassador Programme in 2023. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Co-chairs, Niklaus Zaugg, Flavio Peter, and Benjamin Gottlieb, this initiative features a stellar network of ambassadors from various jurisdictions around the world. Together, we are fostering stronger connections between the Switzerland and arbitration communities globally.
Swiss Arbitration continues to deepen its presence in the Middle East through new partnerships, and impactful events driven by our stellar Swiss Arbitration Ambassadors for the Middle East, Noradele Radjai, Alain Farhad & Sara Koleilat-Aranjo. They are designed to foster collaboration, build capacity, and advance dialogue in the field of international arbitration.
On 10 April 2025, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and The Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of international arbitration and mediation. This strategic alliance is designed to encourage the exchange of knowledge, promote best practices in alternative dispute resolution, and support capacity-building through joint events, training, and initiatives.
The partnership not only advances ADGM’s aim of establishing itself as a premier global hub for arbitration, but also offers significant benefits for Swiss Arbitration. By engaging with ADGM’s growing arbitration ecosystem and its strategic location in the Middle East, Swiss Arbitration strengthens its international presence, increases visibility among practitioners and institutions in the region, and creates new opportunities for its members to collaborate, expand their networks, and contribute to the development of arbitration practice in emerging markets.
This agreement reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to the continued evolution of international dispute resolution.
Beyond Abu Dhabi, the Swiss Arbitration Ambassadors are actively forging links across the Middle East. On 27 February 2025, the Swiss Arbitration Ambassadors organised a session titled “Taming the Beast – The Case for Limiting Document Production” during the Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW) 2025. The session which discuss, amongst other things, recommendations developed by the ASA User Council Working Group on Document Production and set out in a Draft White Paper it attracted strong interest from regional practitioners and institutions. With over 150+ arbitration professionals registered to attend the session — this engagement reflects the growing appetite in Saudi Arabia for trusted and tested international best practices in dispute resolution.
Through seminars, strategic forums, and capacity-building efforts, the Ambassadors are shining a spotlight on the core values that underpin Swiss arbitration: neutrality, efficiency, and legal reliability. These efforts are already laying the foundation for follow-up initiatives, including training programmes and regional collaborations designed for practitioners, institutions, and academic partners.
Looking ahead, Swiss Arbitration remains firmly committed to supporting the growth of international arbitration in the Middle East through sustained engagement, expert dialogue, and partnerships that reflect its global outlook and Swiss roots.