ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program Collaborates with Partners to Strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution in Asia and the Pacific

On 18-19 February 2025, ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program, in conjunction with the ADB Institute, UNCITRAL and Japan Ministry of Justice convened the Policy Dialogue on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and brought together policymakers, ADR institutions, private sector, lawyers, judges and academia to discuss the current landscape of ADR development in Asia and the Pacific. ADB General Counsel Thomas M. Clark underscored the importance of effective and efficient dispute resolution in supporting sustainable economic development and regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific. In particular, he highlighted the critical role of international ADR as a key enabler in fostering foreign direct investment and cross-border trade, private sector and PPP development and digital economy.ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Team Leader Christina Pak presented ADB’s work in strengthening ADR mechanisms in its developing member countries and proposed the Asia and the Pacific Joint Network for Coordination & Collaboration on ADR Reforms, Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing, as a systematic approach to leverage collective expertise and resources.