The Conference in Bahrain, which is being held first time, is likely to attract over 450 delegates.
The Conference, being jointly organized by the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution – American Arbitration Association (BCDR-AAA), and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) will be an important global gathering for the oil and gas industry and the first of its kind to take place in the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions, the world’s leading hydrocarbon. While the conference will focus on emerging issues in oil and gas disputes globally, it will also place particular emphasis on those issues specific to the MENA region in addition to The Sudan, South Sudan and Nigeria.
The announcement of event’s patron was made by the organizers at a press conference held at the BCDR premises in the presence of Ahmed Hussain BCDR-AAA’s Chief Registrar and Assistant CEO for Arbitration, who is also the Co-Chairman of the Conference, Tim Martin, Conference Co-Chairman and the former President of AIPN and the media.
“We are extremely proud to announce the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, for this prestigious event,” Ahmed Hussain, said.
“HRH support serves to underscores the significance of this forum for the sector globally and for the GCC region in particular. Energy revenues remain the major economic contributor to GDP and development. Importantly, it also demonstrates the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment, at the highest of levels, for continuing to develop its capabilities and position as a leading regional centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), building on its strategic location in the heart of the Gulf region as well as it’s strong and well regarded commercial, legal and regulatory framework.”
“We’re extremely grateful for the Patronage of the Prime Minister and to the Kingdom of Bahrain for its ongoing efforts to promote the adoption of alternative dispute resolution tactics across the MENA region and beyond. The need for effective dispute resolution is becoming increasingly important given the continued expansion of the oil and gas sector including petrochemical and downstream industries in the counties of the Middle East and Africa. Growth, however, has seen an increase in concession agreements and commercial contracts in use and, in turn, a rise in the number of disputes, which can be solved in more efficient, timely and cost-effective ways through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods. This year’s conference will focus on new and existing solutions for the oil and gas industry and their application both on a global and regional basis,” Tim Martin, said.
The event is expected to attract in excess of 450 delegates and more than 30 of the world’s leading industry experts, arbitrators and counsel from international energy organizations, governments and law firms to discuss a broad spectrum of legal and commercial issues relating to disputes in the sector. Topics will include boundary disputes, state investment, infrastructure and commercial disputes, along with the impact of Shari’ah Law in Middle East energy disputes.
The (BCDR-AAA) is a one-stop-shop for (ADR) and is a major pillar to Bahrain’s status as a world-class business and investment environment. Since its launch on January 2010, the Chamber has provided international, regional and domestic commercial and governmental users contracting in the Gulf and beyond, with a purpose-built solution for the rapid, effective and certain resolution of commercial disputes.