Doha: The Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) organised a seminar titled "The Future of Mediation in the Settlement of Commercial Disputes in Qatar.”
The seminar discussed the growing importance of mediation in commercial transactions and emphasised the need to raise awareness of its benefits as an effective tool for resolving commercial disputes.
It also highlighted the legal framework and upcoming mediation rules expected to be issued by the Center, as well as the key challenges in promoting mediation in Qatar.
The event was moderated by Secretary-General of QICCA Ibrahim Shahbek, and featured distinguished speakers including Principal Advisor MENA at the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA), independent arbitrator and legal advisor Dr. Emad Hussein; and Associate Professor of Law at Qatar University and accredited arbitrator and mediator Dr. Mohammad Salem Abu Al-Faraj.
Participants reviewed the Singapore Mediation Convention, highlighting Qatar’s pioneering role as one of the early signatories and ratifiers of the agreement. They also explored regional and international best practices to further strengthen Qatar’s mediation framework and enhance its position as a regional hub for dispute resolution.
For his part, Ibrahim Shahbek said that QICCA is committed to promoting the culture of arbitration and mediation within the Qatari business community as effective tools for resolving commercial disputes amicably and efficiently. He noted that mediation offers flexibility and speed in reaching mutually satisfactory solutions without resorting to litigation, which contributes to strengthening the business environment and attracting investments.
He added that the seminar addressed several key topics related to the development of mediation in recent years, underscoring its growing importance in economic and commercial relations.
Shahbek further pointed out that QICCA is in the process of developing new mediation rules aligned with international best practices and tailored to the needs of Qatar’s business sector. These efforts, he said, aim to strengthen Qatar’s status as a leading regional hub for commercial dispute resolution.
He also highlighted the Centre’s commitment to building national capacities in this field through specialised training programs and workshops for accredited arbitrators and mediators, conducted in collaboration with leading international institutions. This, he stressed, contributes to preparing qualified Qatari professionals capable of practicing mediation at the highest professional standards.
