The Mane Forum was held today in Singapore on the eve of a historic moment – the signing of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the Singapore Convention.

This morning, the Singapore International Mediation Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and Korean Commercial Arbitration Board to commit to jointly promoting mediation consulting, joint conferences and training amongst other initiatives.

There was gripping discussion in the afternoon on the differing standards applicable to mediators and mediations around the world. Singapore was urged to take the lead to form a working group with prominent mediators from different jurisdictions to explore drawing up a uniform mediation practice code and submit a draft to the United Nations for further discussion.

Also explored was the potential to use Online Dispute Resolution as an additional tool to resolve suitable disputes.

Notable speakers today included Mr Edwin Tong, SC (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Health), Dr Noeleen Heyzer (Former Under Secretary General of the United Nations), Ms Anna Joubin-Bret (Secretary of UNCITRAL), Mr Rimsky Yuen (Former Secretary for Justice in Hong Kong SAR), and various chairpersons and heads of eminent Arbitration and Mediation centres around Asia.

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