Singapore Convention Week 2026: The Ministry of Justice engages in the International Dialogue on the Future of Mediation
The Special Secretary for Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Hellenic Ministry of Justice, Ms Olympia Anastasopoulou, accompanied by Mr Sokratis Mergianos, Legal Adviser to the Minister of Justice, paid an official visit to Singapore from 24 to 27 August 2026 in the context of Singapore Convention Week 2026.
The Greek delegation focused on international developments in the field of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, with particular emphasis on the Singapore Convention on Mediation, the use of new technologies and artificial intelligence applications, and the exchange of expertise with institutions that have developed advanced practices in this field.
A central component of the visit was participation in the UNCITRAL Academy, organised by UNCITRAL and the Singapore Ministry of Law. Sessions dedicated to the Singapore Convention on Mediation presented different national approaches to its adoption and implementation, while highlighting the cross-border enforcement of mediated settlement agreements, institutional preparedness, consultation and training as key parameters for its effective implementation. The UNCITRAL Academy and the discussions with UNCITRAL Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret and Singapore’s Minister for Law Edwin Tong provided an opportunity to become acquainted with contemporary practices and approaches within one of the world’s most advanced dispute resolution ecosystems, while also presenting initiatives being developed by the Hellenic Republic in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, with particular reference to the first unified Alternative Dispute Resolution Code at European level, currently under development.
At the same time, particular emphasis was placed on developments shaping the future of international dispute resolution: the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence under human oversight, trust and ethics, as well as the impact of technological and geopolitical shifts on international commercial and investment disputes. In this context, innovative applications were presented, including MAIA of the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), while the Special Secretary participated in thematic events organised by SIMC, SIDRA and GAR Live: Asia-Pacific 2026, as well as in the official opening of the new Singapore office of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
An important part of the visit was the working meeting between the Special Secretary and Ms Charlene Chang, Deputy Secretary at the Singapore Ministry of Law, as part of the institutional engagement between the two sides on matters relating to mediation and alternative dispute resolution. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on current developments in the field and prospects for further cooperation.
Participation in Singapore Convention Week 2026 forms part of the Special Secretariat’s broader strategy to strengthen international cooperation and draw on international practices in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The insights gained during the visit provide valuable expertise for the further examination of the institutional and legal issues associated with the Singapore Convention on Mediation, as well as the potential use of contemporary practices and technological tools to support the further development of mediation in Greece.
