CCC-ICLP  together with the Commercial Law Development Program, United State Department of Commerce and in coordination with Department of State United States Embassy in Sri Lanka organised a series of events from 19^th to 21^st of October 2022 on the Alternative Dispute Resolution in South and Central Asia at Colombo, Sri Lanka. Exchange Session between South & Central Asia Alternative Dispute Resolution Centers Training Session on International Arbitration Practitioner Training and a Symposium on South and Central Asia Alternative Dispute Resolution marked the three-day event.

Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC) was the supporting organisation of the event along with Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration (CIICA), Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration, Maldives International Arbitration Centre, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), HKIAC and Tashkent International Arbitration Centre, White & Case LLP‘s International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group, Washington DC and FJ&G de Saram, Srilanka.

BIAC was represented at the conference by its General Manager Mahbuba Rahman Runa, and Assistant Counsel Priyanka Roy, who took part in fruitful and insightful discussions on the role of ADR centres in South and Central Asia in creating vibrant ADR ecosystems and resilient economies, promoting regional collaboration, developing domestic and international Arbitration and Mediation, as well as the Singapore Convention and shared ADR perspectives of Bangladesh. On 19^th October, The South & Central Asia ADR Collective was launched. The objectives of the formation of such a Collective are to provide a forum to foster networking and mutual cooperation to a) improve and enhance skills and practices, b) ensure the maintenance of standards that are relevant in the ADR landscape, including Arbitration and Mediation and c) promote better dispute resolution and local doing- business environment.

In the Symposium, which took place on 21 October 2022, Luis G Salas, Deputy Economic Unit Chief, US Embassy delivered his welcome address. Dr K Kanag-Isvaran, PC, Chairman, International ADR Centre, Srilanka presented the Key Note on ADR as a Building Block for Resilient Economies. Renuka M. Weerakone, Director General, Board of Investment of Srilanka presented the closing remarks.

The multi-stakeholder conference was participated by the representatives of such ADR centres as Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration (CIICA), Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration, Maldives International Arbitration Centre, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC),Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Tashkent International Arbitration Centre who gave presentations on the ADR landscape in their respective regions. White & Case LLP‘s International Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group, Washington DC also participated as Speakers. The Symposium followed a dynamic format including interactive panel discussions, presentations and networking opportunities.

The event was attended by lawyers, representatives of ADR/arbitration centers, Business personalities, Chairman and officials of Sri Lanka BOI.  Participants who were interested in learning more about ADR attended the event in huge numbers, which kept the sessions lively.