Abu Dhabi 29 January 2026
Today in Abu Dhabi, Managing partner Rasem Kamal had the pleasure of moderating the opening panel of the 27th IBA Arbitration Day, one of the world’s leading forums for international arbitration.
Our session, “From Outer Space to Desert Sands and Under the Sea,” examined how arbitration must evolve as disputes increasingly arise from frontier environments — space, deep-sea resources, and mega-projects in extreme climates.
I was joined by an outstanding panel: Amna Al Owais, Juan-Carlos Boué, Rebeca Mosquera and Mahesh Rai. We discussed enforceability beyond borders, the growing role of AI and satellite data as evidence, and what it would actually mean to enforce a space or deep-sea arbitral award.
I also had the honour of delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the IBA Arab Regional Forum, together with my co-chair Noradèle Radjai, reflecting the ARF’s role in anchoring global arbitration conversations in the Arab World.
Holding this discussion in Abu Dhabi — a hub for energy, technology and giga-projects — made it clear that these are no longer future questions, but present ones. And whether in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, or Ramallah, we are no longer watching these developments from the sidelines — we are helping shape them.
Grateful to the IBA, the panelists, and the audience for a forward-looking and engaging conversation.