The Secretary -General of the Bahrain Council for the Settlement of International Disputes, Professor Marika Paulson, as a spokesperson for a session within the Forum “Building Bridges in the field of alternative means for dispute settlement: meeting the Middle East and North Africa region with Singapore – SIDRA Forum”, which was held during the week of Singapore 2025. North Africa, focusing on innovative frameworks and transit cooperation in the regions.
The forum opened a major speech delivered by the guest of honor, the oldest minister of state at the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Transport in Singapore, Moral Pillay, where he pointed to the deepening of cooperation between Bahrain and Singapore in the field of international commercial dispute settlement, and welcomed the joint initiatives between the Supreme Court in Singapore and the Bahraini delegation, highlighting the importance of their communication with users and the leading law firms on the pioneering joint project between the two commercial courts. He noted the honor of hosting the high -level Bahrain delegation in Singapore to push this important partnership.
Before the dialogue session, Professor Bolson conducted a side conversation with Pelay, as they briefly touched on the success of the International Commercial Court of Bahrain, and the minister extended his congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on this achievement.
During its intervention, Professor Bolson reviewed the innovative leadership of Bahrain in strengthening alternative means to resolve ADR conflicts and cross -border justice, and its role in forming cooperation initiatives between the courts with Singapore. She spoke alongside major actors from across the Middle East and North Africa, where the session stressed the role of Bahrain Innovation in mediation, the unique joint judicial project between Bahrain and Singapore, and the increasing influence of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in dealing with international commercial disputes.
Professor Bolson also highlighted the recent developments, including Bahrain’s signing a memorandum of understanding with the International Center for the settlement of ICSID investment disputes, the host country agreement with the PCA, and Bahrain’s active leadership in the UNEStral work teams. She also pointed to the growing role of the International Commercial Court in Bahrain and its in -depth relationship with the International Commercial Court of Singapore as a model for the judicial partnerships linking the regions.
This session confirmed Bahrain’s position at the forefront of countries supporting the development of alternative means to resolve ADR conflicts globally. At the same time, the dialogue reflects the increasing momentum behind the joint initiatives that enhance the systems of alternative means to settle disputes and build sustainable bridges between Asia and the Middle East and North Africa region.
