Highlights from the joint ICCA-KIAC Conference in Kigali, Rwanda
On 5 June, the long-awaited joint ICCA-KIAC Conference took place in Kigali, gathering around 300 members of the arbitration community for discussions centered around the theme 'Africa & International Arbitration: Untold Stories.' Panels covered topics such as legal reform in Africa, emerging trends in dispute resolution linked to the continent’s evolving economies and industries, and forward-looking perspectives on the future of dispute settlement in Africa.
Here are some highlights from Kigali.
Launch of ICCA's Historical Database of African Dispute Resolution
ICCA celebrated the launch of its Historical Database of African Dispute Resolution – an online, searchable database of inter-State, investor-State and commercial arbitrations and conciliations involving African parties and interests from the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods. We welcome your thoughts and any hidden gems to include in this resource.
ICCA Drafting Sourcebook – Kigali Special Edition 2025 now available
The Kigali Special Edition 2025 of the ICCA Drafting Sourcebook for Logistical Matters in Procedural Orders and Checklist: First Procedural Order are now available for download.
These refreshed resources were launched during a joint ICCA-KIAC workshop on “The First Case Management Meeting and Drafting of Procedural Order #1” held in conjunction with the Conference.
New topics covered in the Kigali Special Edition 2025 include artificial intelligence, disability accommodation, remote hearings, electronic case management platforms, and the publication of awards.
An updated annex of Useful Resources is also included for further reading.
The Kigali Special Edition 2025 will be opened for comments from the wider ICCA membership in the coming months.
Download the Drafting Sourcebook
ICCA Inclusion Fund meet-up
During the conference, ICCA hosted a meet-up for the 30+ recipients of the 2025 ICCA Inclusion Fund.
The gathering gave recipients an opportunity to get to know one another and connect with members of ICCA’s Inclusiveness Committee—who initiated the Inclusion Fund—as well as with Young ICCA members and representatives of the ICCA Executive Body, Governing Board, and Bureau.
ICCA's diversity & inclusion initiatives
Women's networking event
Ahead of the conference, ICCA partnered with the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge and ArbitralWomen to host a networking event for women in arbitration.
The breakfast event was attended by around 40 women from Africa and beyond to discuss the importance of visibility, inclusion, and leadership for women in international arbitration.
Access the eighth volume of the ICCA Reports Series for insights into gender diversity initiatives in the arbitration community. Produced by the Cross-Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings, chaired by ICCA Governing Board Member Carolyn Lamm, the Report presents statistics on the appointment of female arbitrators and outlines best practices and opportunities to promote gender diversity in international dispute resolution. The report is available in full on the ICCA website.