More than 200 legal experts from around the world, including cabinet ministers and high-level law firm representatives, are expected to participate in a conference on alternative dispute resolution that will be held at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., Oct. 26-27.
The participants will give a global overview of current global issues and trends in international commercial arbitration and mediation as well as their effect on modernization of the state and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Nearly all Latin American nations have implemented alternative dispute resolution procedures with financial assistance of the Multilateral Investment Fund, an autonomous fund of the IDB that promotes private sector growth. Nevertheless, more remains to be accomplished in this area to improve the international investment climate.
IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias will inaugurate the conference at 9 a.m. in the Andrés Bello auditorium on the 9th floor of the Bank. At 9:20 a.m. William K. Slate II, president and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, will deliver an opening presentation.
The conference is being sponsored by the Multilateral Investment Fund and the American Arbitration Association.