UNCITRAL Events and News

At its 58th session (Vienna, 7-23 July 2025) (see A/80/17, para. 245, 270 and 347), the Commission requested the UNCITRAL secretariat to undertake exploratory and preparatory work on digital payments and paperless trade respectively, including by holding colloquiums on these topics. In line with that request, the secretariat is organizing a Colloquium in two parts: Part I on digital payments (19-20 January 2026) and Part II on paperless trade (21-22 January 2026). The Colloquium is intended to advance the exploratory and preparatory work, consistent with UNCITRAL’s efforts to provide an enabling legal framework and guidance supportive of end-to-end trade digitalization, of which digital payments and paperless trade are two key components. The outcomes of the Colloquium will be presented to the Commission for consideration at its fifty-ninth session (New York, 22 June – 10 July 2026). For further information: https://uncitral.un.org/en/paymentspaperlesstrade

This is the first in a series of events being organized by the UNCITRAL secretariat to advance exploratory work on digital platforms and private law that was requested by the Commission at its 58th session (Vienna, 7–23 July 2025) (see A/80/17, para. 22(e)(iv)). The event is being co-organized by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism of the United Arab Emirates, which, together with Spain, submitted a proposal to the Commission on possible future work on legal aspects of digital trade, with a special focus on digital platforms (A/CN.9/1227).

Jointly organised by UNCITRAL RCAP and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the 6th UNCITRAL Asia Pacific Judicial Summit will take place from 1 to 2 December 2025. A biennial flagship event, this year’s theme is “The Future is Now: Legally Enabling Digitalization of International Trade.” The Summit brings together senior members of the judiciary, legal professionals, policymakers and international experts in the region to discuss the role of the judiciary in promoting progressive harmonization of international commercial law, particularly through uniform interpretation and application of UNCITRAL legal instruments. Further information available at: https://uncitral.un.org/en/SixthJudicialSummit2025 

Jointly organised by UNCITRAL and the Japan Ministry of Justice, the 4th Tokyo Forum will take place on 26 November 2025. An annual flagship event, this edition of the Forum includes two UNCITRAL sessions bringing together legal professionals, practitioners and international experts to discuss the use of AI in dispute resolution and remote hearings in arbitration and mediation. For further information, please visit: uncitral.un.org/en/FourthTokyoForum