05 Feb, 2026
The Riyadh International Dispute Resolution Week 2026 (RIDW26), that was held in Riyadh from February 1 to 5, and that witnessed high-level participation from government and judicial leaders, elite judges, legal and arbitration experts, and business leaders from around the world, concluded. It was a week packed with distinguished events that reflected the Kingdom’s momentous role in developing the dispute resolution ecosystem and strengthening confidence in the commercial justice environment regionally and internationally.
The week served as a comprehensive international platform, bringing together elite decision-makers, heads of judicial bodies, leaders of international organizations, and practitioners in the fields of arbitration and law. Its activities addressed key issues related to the development of institutional arbitration frameworks, the strengthening of integration between the judiciary and arbitration, and the exploration of the future of dispute resolution amid rapid economic and technological transformations.
The week’s highlights included the SCCA 5th International Conference, which witnessed high-level official and international participation. The conference brought together ministers, presidents of courts and judicial bodies, leaders of international organizations, and a select group of industry experts from within the Kingdom and abroad. Through its panel discussions and keynote speeches, the conference discussed ways to develop the institutional arbitration system, align judicial practices with international standards, and explore the role of arbitration in supporting the investment environment and ensuring legal certainty.
The conference addressed the theme "Predictable Dispute Resolution in Uncertain Times," covering topics that highlighted the role of solid governance, legal clarity, and effective dispute resolution in fostering trust and stability. The agenda included opening and keynote speeches, as well as five specialized panel discussions focusing on the development of the dispute resolution industry and exploring its global growth prospects.
The Arab Judicial Forum on the New York Convention, one of the RIDW26’s most distinguished and specialized events, carried massive weight. It brought together 50 judges from 22 Arab countries and 20 international experts in commercial arbitration for an extensive judicial dialogue. The forum discussed challenges in applying the 1958 New York Convention, the scope of judicial review of arbitration awards, the interpretation of public policy as a ground for refusing enforcement, and also reviewed examples of comparative judicial case law.
The forum was organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the Arab League, and the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Studies. Its sessions contributed to deepening the shared understanding of arbitration judgement enforcement mechanisms and enhancing the predictability of judicial decisions in a manner that positively impacts the stability of commercial transactions, attracts investment, and strengthens institutional integration between the national judiciary and the arbitration system.
As part of investing in young legal talents and building the arbitrators of the future, the 7th edition of the SCCA International Arabic Moot (SIAM7) concluded, featuring wide participation from student teams representing faculties of Sharia, law, and legal studies from 25 countries.
Over a nine-month competition journey, participants gained comprehensive practical experience in international commercial arbitration, including drafting legal memoranda and conducting oral pleadings in a simulated international commercial arbitration case under the supervision of a select group of international arbitrators and experts. The competition contributed to bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application and to building a qualified generation of arbitration practitioners in line with global best practices.
RIDW26 also featured the International Forum celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), in an international evening that highlighted the depth of the Kingdom’s partnership with international organizations. The event showcased UNCITRAL’s contributions to unifying the legal rules governing international trade and its role in supporting global investment stability, while also emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s position as a trusted host for major international legal events.
The figures from RIDW26 reflect the scale of organizational momentum and broad participation: 95 events were organized by 74 hosts, with participation from 59 affiliated organizations and institutions, and supported by 18 sponsors. A total of 380 speakers—including government leaders, experts, and practitioners in law, arbitration, and dispute resolution—participated in the RIDW26’s events.
In terms of turnout and engagement, more than 7,900 active accounts were created on the RIDW26 platform, while the number of on-site participants exceeded 6,100, representing 104 nationalities from around the world. These figures underscore the growing international character of RIDW26 and its position as a global hub for dialogue on issues related to the dispute resolution industry.
At the conclusion of the week, participants emphasized the importance of sustaining this professional momentum and enhancing the partnership between the national judiciary and the arbitration system. They praised the Kingdom’s success in bringing together such a diverse international gathering under one roof and in solidifying Riyadh’s status as a leading regional and global center for legal dialogue and for shaping the future of commercial justice, in alignment with global economic developments and in strengthening investor confidence in the business environment.
