Conference Schedule

Registration and Welcome Reception

Opening Remarks

By Dr. Khalid Salim Al Saidi, Chairman of Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre

Session 1: Muscat; A New Hub for Arbitration; Opportunities and Challenges

Exploration of Muscat’s growing role as an emerging arbitration hub in the GCC, highlighting its unique advantages, strategic positioning and the opportunities it offers to businesses and investors. The discussion will also address the challenges of building global recognition of the center and ensuring credibility in international dispute resolution. Speakers: Session Lead: Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Mandhari, OAC CEO H.E. Issa Hamad Al Azri, Secretary General of the Supreme Judicial Council H.E. Eng. Badr Salim Al Maamari, Chairman of the Authority for Projects/Tenders and Local Content H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Dr. Suleiman Al Jabri, Chief of the Legal Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Signing of MoU’s

Recognition Awards for Participants and Sponsors

Coffee Break

Session 2: Stronger Together Building a Unified Regional Arbitration Ecosystem

Focusing on collaboration across the GCC, this session highlights how greater collaboration across the GCC can create a stronger, more cohesive arbitration landscape. Panelists will discuss pathways for harmonization, shared best practices, and the benefits of enhancing unified regional arbitration policies. Speakers: Session Lead: Dr. Khalifa Al Hadhrami, Founding Partner at KH Law Firm Dr. Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani, Vice Chairman of the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) Dr. Hamed Hassan Merah, CEO of the Saudi Centre of Commercial Arbitration Mr. Ahmed Husain, Chief Executive Officer at the Bahrain Chamber for Disputes Resolution Dr. Kamal Abdullah Al Hamad, Secretary General of the Commercial Arbitration Center for the GCC

Session 3: Arbitration in Oil and Gas Disputes

Over the past decade, arbitration has become the consistent choice for resolving oil and gas disputes, reflecting the sector’s need for specialist expertise and an adaptable process. The technical and contractual complexities of these high-value projects require arbitrators with industry knowledge to provide tailored solutions for the parties. Speakers: Session Lead: Mr. Abdulwahhab Al-Hinai, General Council OQ Prof. Loukas Mistelis, Partner at Clyde & Co Mr. Salim Al-Yazidi, General Council PDO Mr. Said Al-Shahry, Founder of SASLO

Lunch Break

Session 4: Arbitration in Financial and Construction Disputes

The session discusses the complex financial and construction disputes that are increasingly being resolved through arbitration, with regional trends shaped by regulations, risks, and cross-border claims. Promoting arbitration as the most effective mechanism for these cases. Speakers: Session Lead: Dr. Fahad Abuhimed, Managing Partner and Head of Public Policy at Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Clifford Chance (AS&H Clifford Chance) Mr. Elsamawal Abdulhadi Idris, Chief Legal & Governance Officer in Sohar International Mansoor Jamal Malik, Founder/ Managing Partner at Al Busaidy, Mansoor Jamal & Co Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo, Founding President of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR)

Session 5: Arbitration Disputes in Governments Contracts with Foreign Investors

This session examines the role of arbitration in resolving disputes involving government contracts, with a focus on regulatory frameworks, approval processes, and the balance between protecting public interests and ensuring investor confidence. Arbitration provides a more neutral, efficient, and flexible alternative to traditional litigation. Speakers: Session Lead: Ms. Sarah Malik, CEO at SOL International Ms. Basma Al Kiyumi, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Al Tamimi & Company Ms. Rozana AlTayyar, Founder and Managing Partner, Taswea Dr. Ioana Knoll-Tudor, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, International Arbitration Practice

Coffee Break

Session 6: Technology in Arbitration and Mediation: Opportunities, Innovation, and Ethical Challenges

This session addresses the ethical questions raised using technology and AI in arbitration and mediation, from confidentiality and bias to transparency and accountability in arbitration procedures and arbitral awards. Speakers: Session Lead: Mr. Nasser Al Habsi, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard Mr. Issa Al Ghassani, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre Ms. Basma Al Kiyumi , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Al Tamimi & Company Ms. Anastasiia Dulska, Senior Associate – Dispute resolution at Bär & Karrer Mr. Leonid Shmatenko, Counsel Attorney at 5Gambit Disputes

End of Day 2

Free Day for Optional Sightseeing Tours.

Session 7: Institutional vs Ad Hoc Arbitration; Between Evolving Preference and Regional Reality

Exploring the shift between institutional and Ad Hoc Arbitration, weighing flexibility against structure, and assessing what best serves parties in the region today. While Ad Hoc can offer adaptability, institutional arbitration delivers reliability, greater consistency, and credibility, strengthening confidence in institutional ADR. Speakers: Session Lead: Prof. Dr. Talal Jaber, Partner at Jaber Law Firm Prof. Dr. Ismail Selim, Director of CRCICA, Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration Dr. Ahmed Alechla, Director of TAHKEEM, Sharjah’s International Commercial Arbitration Center Prof. Najib Hage Chahine, Director of the Lebanese International Arbitration Center of the Beirut Bar Association Ms. Jehad Abdulrazzaq Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC)

Session 8: Enforcement of Arbitral Awards - Challenges in the GCC

A closer look at the practical and legal obstacles to enforcing arbitral awards in the GCC, with the emphasis on how these challenges can be addressed through reforms, judicial alignment, and regional cooperation to strengthen confidence in arbitration. Speakers: Session Lead: Dr. Mosleh Al Tarawneh, Vice President at Al Ahliyya Amman University Prof. Thomas Clay, Managing Partner at Clay Arbitration Ms. Fatma Al Amri, Senior Litigation Lawyer at Dentons Dr. Zeina Obeid, Partner at Obeid & Partners

Coffee Break

Session 9: Arbitration in Maritime Disputes

Addressing the role of arbitration in maritime disputes, focusing on shipping contracts, port operations, marine insurance and cross-border complexities. Speakers: Session Lead: Mr. Abdulredha Al Lawati, Founder of ALC Lawyers and Counsels Mr. Alessandro Tricoli, Partner at Fichte & Co LLC Mr. Barry Stimpson, Managing Partner at Squire Patton Boggs Mr. Robert Lawrence, Partner at HFW

Lunch Break

Session 10: Arbitration in Insurance and Reinsurance Disputes

The session explores the challenges and complexities of resolving insurance and reinsurance disputes through arbitration. Experts will discuss key procedural and substantive issues, the drafting and enforcement of arbitration clauses in insurance contracts. Speakers: Session Lead: Mr. James Machpherson, International ADR Specialist Mr. Costas Frangeskides, Partner at Wordley Law Mr. Paul Wordley, Partner at Wordley Law Counselor Dr. Marian Kaldas, Executive Director of the Egyptian Centre for Arbitration and Settlement of Non-Banking Financial Disputes

Session 11: Moot

Session Lead: Ms. Sarah Malik, CEO at SOL International Ltd Tribunal Members: Ms. Claudia Hage, Founding & Managing Partner of Al Marri & El Hage Law Prof. Dr. Talal Jaber, Partner at Jaber Law Firm Dr. Riyadh Al Balushi, Founding Partner at Decree Counsel: Mr. Michael Patchett Joyce, Barrister, Arbitrator, and Mediator, 3 Hare Court, Temple Mr. Drew Holiner, Barrister at Monckton Chambers

Conference Closing Remarks