ADB Partners with UNCITRAL, Korea Ministry of Justice, and ADBI to Promote Harmonization of ADR Across Asia and the Pacific

On 28 October in Seoul, the ADB Office of the General Counsel joined the Republic of Korea Ministry of Justice, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), ADB Institute, and KCAB International for the ADR Special Session, an annual flagship event promoting legal harmonization across Asia and the Pacific. The session brought together government officials and judges from DMCs to explore how aligning dispute resolution frameworks can make cross-border trade and investment smoother, fairer, and more predictable. Discussions centered on the adoption and implementation of UNCITRAL arbitration and mediation instruments, as well as innovations for the digital economy, including electronic arbitral awards and online dispute resolution platforms. In his opening remarks, ADB General Counsel Thomas Clark emphasized that “uniform and coherent application of UNCITRAL texts across jurisdictions is essential to safeguard legal certainty, foster regional integration, and sustain international trade and investment despite global uncertainties”. OGC also engaged with law students at Korea University School of Law, highlighting ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program and the vital role of the next generation in driving innovative legal solutions to address complex development challenges.