NOVEDADES

Below we bring to you several updates, exciting upcoming opportunities, and important initiatives. We also ask you to share your successes and initiatives, so that we may amplify them with the International Mediation Institute (IMI) network and the mediation community at large.

Reflections from the ReSolve Online Masterclass

Reflections from the Global Dispute Resolution Conference 2026

The Global Dispute Resolution Conference 2026 was held on 5 February 2026 in Paris, France, bringing together a diverse community of international experts in mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution.

The conference was curated by Rissiane Goulart and Marina Gouveia, whose vision transformed the initiative into a global platform dedicated to high-standard ADR dialogue.

The highlight of the event was a shared vision for the future of the field: effective dispute resolution will depend on striking the right balance between global standards and local realities.

Expanding the Map: Egypt, Kyrgyzstan and Oman Strengthen the Singapore Convention on Mediation

We are proud to share three significant developments that reinforce the Singapore Convention’s role in international commercial dispute resolution:

 Kyrgyzstan has become the 20th State Party, acceding on 1 December 2025 
 Egypt has signed the Convention, becoming the 59th signatory.
 Oman has ratified the Convention through Royal Decree No. 6/2026.

With 20 contracting parties and 59 signatories, the Convention’s global footprint is expanding, and so is confidence in mediation. 

 Upcoming Webinars and Conferences

• IP Mediation Seminar, Lisbon, March 31, 2026

IP Mediation Seminar organised by INPI, the EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office Boards of Appeal-Mediation Centre and Arbitrare at the Centro de Estudos Judiciários in Lisbon.

 Register Here

• Professionalizing Mediation: Credentialing, Quality Assurance and Global Recognition, April 8, 2026

Join the Speaker Series of Family Mediation Canada featuring Liliana Amione, Head of Program Quality and Appraisal at IMI. 

 Learn more and register

• ODR Expotech IV 2026, April 21-23, 2026

“ODR ExpoTech 2026 – Discovering Agentic Mediation” is a fully online international congress organized by ODR Latinoamérica, an organisation holding IMI Registered Mediator Training Program (RMTP) status, focused on the impact of artificial intelligence agents on mediation, negotiation, and dispute resolution practice.

 Register Here (Free Registration, 15% Discount on Certificates for IMI members. The language of the event is Spanish.)

• Warsaw Negotiation Conference, May 7, 2026

Join the upcoming “Warsaw Negotiation Conference” hosted by the Student Negotiation Association at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, and held under the theme “Negotiation Unlocked: Skills, Strategies & Solutions for Tomorrow”.

 Explore the event website

• Unified IP Summit & PMAC Inauguration 2026, June 1-2, 2026 

The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) of the Unified Patent Court will hold its Inaugural Conference, together with the Unified IP Summit 2026, in collaboration with OxFirst and the University of Ljubljana.

 Learn more about the PMAC and the Summit

• Singapore Convention Week 2026, August 24-28, 2026

Participate in the Maxwell Challenge: The Global Competition for Mediation and Advocacy Excellence!

Read our reflections on the Singapore Convention Week 2025: Humanity in ADR, and save the date: we look forward to hosting and meeting you there! You may also explore IMI's reflection on the history, current standing, and ongoing role of the Convention here.

• CMC Conference 2026, October 7-8, 2026

Under the theme "Making Mediation Mainstream", this year’s conference will explore how momentum is built, how confidence in mediation grows, and how different parts of the sector contribute to long-term change. Early bird tickets are available until the end of April.

 Book your place here

• IMI’s 20th Anniversary Conference in Rome, Italy, October 2027: Save the Date!

 Engagement Opportunities 

• Call for Mediators: DIFC Courts Panel of Mediators Open for Applications

IMI invites qualified mediators to join the DIFC Courts Panel, supporting the work of its Mediation Service Centre and strengthening access to ADR within the DIFC framework.

 Learn more

• PMAC Reopens Applications for Mediators, Arbitrators and Expert Determinators

The Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC) has reopened applications, offering professionals the opportunity to be included on its panel, with submissions open until 4 April 2026.

 Learn more

• Applications are open for the next ICDR Y&I Board (2026–2029), Deadline: April 10, 2026

Applications are especially encouraged from practitioners based in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania. This Board will play an active role, working closely with me and my incredible ICDR colleagues on programming, visibility, and strategic engagement, including around the Vis Moot in 2027.

 Applications should be sent to Adriana Vaamonde M. at ICDRYI@adr.org

• Maxwell Challenge 2026, August 27-30, 2026 Singapore

Big news! The official webpage for the Maxwell Challenge 2026 is now live. Students, aspiring practitioners, and the wider ADR community are invited to visit the page and take note of the key dates and upcoming deadlines. Team registrations are now open! 

 Register and find out more here

• Rotary International: Applications for 2027-28 Peace Fellowships

Become part of a global network of peacebuilders creating lasting change. Each year, up to 170 fellows receive full funding to study at Rotary Peace Centers, gaining advanced training and hands-on experience in peace and development.

 Learn more

Useful Resources

• Asian Journal on Mediation “Dialogue, Justice and Dispute Resolution: Mediation as a Key Pillar of Development Accountability” - 2025 Singapore Mediation Lecture by Dr Orsolya Szekely, and panel discussion featuring Tat Lim (IMI Board Chair), Dr Orsolya Szekely, Philip Jeyaretnam, Dorcas Quek Anderson, and Kevin Lee

 Access the Journal here

• Review of David Hoffman's new book, 'The Art of Impasse-Breaking in Mediation' by John Sturrock KC

 Read the article here

• "Can mediation deliver justice?" - Reflection on the recent UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution lecture of Bill Marsh by Peter Causton

 Read the article here

• Law Society of Ireland Gazette - A Costly Lesson, Article by Bill Holohan in relation to the potential costs consequences for solicitors who fail to comply with their section 14 Mediation Act 2017

 Read the article here

Thank you for supporting IMI!

Important links:

• Are you organizing an event or would you like to share a success/milestone with the IMI Community? Let us know via the link here.

• Updates to IMI’s Credentialing Scheme and the Feedback Digest 

• IMI Implements DEI Policy and Introduces Revised Fee Scheme 
• Website Help for existing individual users (includes help re: listing contributions)
• Support IMI page, where you can make payments and donations in several currencies
• Methods of Payment page, with bank account details for direct payments
• Ten Good Reasons to be listed as IMI Certified
• Contact page on the IMI website (includes FAQs)

Take the Green Pledge

IMI-YMI continue to support WoMACC's Green Pledge Initiative. The Green Pledge searchability of our certified professionals is available on the IMI website. Click here to read articles relating to the Green Pledge.