The First Gulf Week for Law and Arbitration Opens in Bahrain

The activities of the “First Gulf Week for Law and Arbitration” were launched in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is organized by the Commercial Arbitration Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council during the period from January 26 to 30, 2025. The event is a prominent forum that brings together more than (1000) business, investment and legal leaders, in addition to a group of international experts specializing in arbitration and dispute settlement.

Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Commercial Arbitration Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council, confirmed that the basic strategy of the center since its establishment has been centered on contributing to achieving a safe and stable investment environment that enhances mutual trust between business owners in the Council countries.

He added that the center is keen to keep pace with modern developments in the field of arbitration, pointing out that it is developing and expanding services to meet the needs of changing markets, and increasing the comprehensiveness of the systems and regulations through which commercial arbitration is organized in the region.

He explained that the Commercial Arbitration Center enters a new phase of work and achievements in the next stage that is in line with the goals of sustainable development in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, stressing the pursuit of achieving more progress in strengthening economic partnerships at the regional and global levels, pointing out that the new stage requires intensifying joint cooperation and enhancing governance practices that would ensure the sustainability of work and achieve the best results for all parties concerned.

Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Badawi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, explained that the first Gulf Law and Arbitration Week embodies the keenness and interest of the Commercial Arbitration Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to keep pace with developments in arbitration at the Gulf, regional and international levels.

He considered that these activities and meetings are a golden opportunity to enrich information and exchange experiences, in addition to contributing to deepening legal knowledge in the field of arbitration, and their constructive discussions will have a significant impact in achieving the desired goals, stressing that the topics specified in the week's program are important topics worthy of discussion and study by its participants due to their importance and impact on the arbitration process in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Dr. Kamal bin Abdullah Al Hamad, Secretary General of the GCC Commercial Arbitration Center, revealed that the Board of Directors has developed a strategic transformation plan for the center through a set of measures aimed at achieving the reform process and making it more predictable, accountable, responsible and governed, and enhancing the effectiveness of improving the quality of leadership and strategic planning.

He stressed that the GCC Commercial Arbitration Center has a number of strategic objectives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of arbitration practice, so that its decisions become more stable, strong and balanced.