The role of
alternative dispute resolution methods in shaping a favourable investment
climate, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on arbitration
practices were among the key issues addressed by participants of the Eurasia
Arbitration Week in Astana. The event traditionally kicked off at the AIFC
International Arbitration Centre (IAC), bringing together more than 300
participants, including leading arbitrators, international law experts,
lawyers, government officials, and academics from the United States, the United
Kingdom, and countries across Eurasia. The event opened with the signing of two
memoranda of cooperation—one with the American Chamber of Commerce, and another
with the Turkic Arbitration Association.
«I am impressed by everything that has been
accomplished. Today, this centre has established itself as one of the strongest
in the region. For investors, it is crucial not only to invest but also to
protect their investments and have the means to resolve disputes when they
arise. The AIFC offers them a platform that is clear. That is why, following
today’s discussions, we decided to sign an agreement to organize joint events
in France, England, and Kazakhstan,» said Anna Guillard Sazhko, Co-President of
the Turkic Arbitration Association.
The trust in the legal
practices of the AIFC Court and the IAC is reflected in the figures. Since
2018, they have handled around 4,000 cases, including commercial disputes worth
hundreds of millions of dollars. The system operates in line with international
standards, providing investors with legal protection. Today, legal
professionals from 39 jurisdictions cooperate with these institutions, and
their offices operate not only in Kazakhstan but also across Eurasian
countries, China, and Türkiye.
«There are a lot of
investors, particularly the foreign investors, that are saying they would not
be coming here if it was not for this court and the arbitration center’s
presence. There always are problems in business. And they need to know, and
they want to know when that happens, they can 100% trust this world-class court
and the arbitration centre as independent, trusted dispute resolution systems,
with all the foreign expertise on the ground here in Kazakhstan in Astana that
is required,» noted Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive of
the AIFC Court and IAC.
Experts note that
Astana is strengthening its position as a legal hub of Eurasia, offering
international businesses not only a developed business infrastructure but also
effective mechanisms for legal protection.
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