Kuwait has reiterated its commitment to advancing international legal frameworks that enhance legal certainty, support trade and investment, and improve mechanisms for dispute resolution. This statement was made by Advisor Alia Al-Sabah following her role as head of the Kuwaiti delegation at the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from June 29 to July 10.

During the session, the commission completed the finalization of the Statute of the Consultative Centre for International Dispute Settlement. It recommended that the United Nations General Assembly consider adopting the statute, signaling progress toward strengthening international mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes. The commission also authorized the continuation of discussions to select the headquarters of the Consultative Centre, with a formal recommendation expected to be presented to the General Assembly in 2027 following an evaluation of potential host locations.

Al-Sabah highlighted that the commission adopted the finalized text of supplementary provisions designed to govern the management of international advisory dispute settlement procedures, concluding extensive discussions on the draft regulations. This development aims to provide clearer guidance and enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution in cross-border trade.

In addition to these key outcomes, the UNCITRAL Secretariat reviewed its ongoing work program during the second week of the session. This review included preparations for the upcoming United Nations Convention on Negotiable Instruments of Carriage, which is scheduled to open for signature in October 2026. The convention is expected to facilitate smoother and more reliable international trade by harmonizing legal standards related to the carriage of goods.

The commission wrapped up its 59th session by adopting reports from its various working groups that addressed the agenda items under discussion. The Kuwaiti delegation that participated in the session included Advisor Alia Al-Sabah, First Deputy Alaa Al-Enezi, and First Attorney Abdullah Al-Otaibi.

Kuwait’s active role in UNCITRAL reflects its broader objective of contributing to the development of global legal frameworks that respond to evolving commercial and legal challenges, enhancing the predictability and stability of international trade environments.