Doha, 20 Sept. 2026

Arbitration is assuming greater importance as businesses and governments navigate regional disruptions, contractual challenges and an increasingly complex international commercial environment, experts said at the opening of the two-day 2026 Arbitration Days Conference in Doha.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the conference at Hotel Plaza Doha, Mohamad Mohannadi, Chairman of the Qatar Experts and Arbitrators Association (QEAACA), highlighted the role of arbitration in resolving commercial disputes arising from disruptions to trade and failure by parties to honour contractual commitments.

He said such circumstances can lead to disputes that require effective and timely resolution, making arbitration an important mechanism for protecting commercial relationships and addressing disagreements.

Cesar Pereira, a delegate from Brazil, and President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) for 2026, described the conference as 'really incredible', noting that around 600 participants were attending, including government officials, arbitration professionals and representatives of institutions.

He said the discussions were focused on some of the most important issues facing international arbitration, particularly in the region. Among the issues being examined was the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and their wider implications for international commerce.

Pereira, who is based in Brazil, is the first Latin American to serve as CIArb’s global president in its 111-year history. The organisation, headquartered in England, has evolved into a global body with around 18,000 members in 150 countries. He noted that approximately 55% of its members are not lawyers but professionals including engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and accountants, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of dispute resolution.

He also welcomed the growing role of CIArb in Qatar, which has around 300 members. During the conference, certificates were presented to about 20 new fellows, highlighting the expanding professional arbitration community in the country.

Pereira said Qatar had made significant progress over the past 15 to 20 years in developing a reliable and credible dispute-resolution environment capable of attracting international investors.

On the challenges created by regional developments, he said crises were not new to the arbitration community, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global disruptions. The key, he said, was ensuring that effective mechanisms were available through courts and arbitration institutions to prevent, mediate or resolve disputes.

He stressed that arbitrators and dispute-resolution professionals must approach emerging challenges creatively while considering their wider economic impact.

For young professionals, Pereira encouraged greater engagement with CIArb, describing it as a platform for international networking, professional development and access to specialised knowledge. He also underlined the role of the media in creating awareness about opportunities available through CIArb and its Qatar branch.

The conference, he said, provides an important platform for experts, government officials and practitioners to exchange ideas and contribute to strengthening Qatar’s arbitration framework and its credibility among international commercial stakeholders.