The SCIA Delegation Visits the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

On July 2, 2024, the delegation from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) visited the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) of the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., and engaged in professional exchanges with Ms. Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID, and Mr. Gonzalo Flores, Deputy Secretary-General of ICSID.

Mr. Dong Lianhe, Vice President of the SCIA began by looking back on the history of cooperation between the two institutions and expressing gratitude for ICSID’s continuous support for the SCIA. Ms. Wang Hao, the Deputy Director of the SCIA Research Department, introduced the latest achievements in building Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Arbitration Center, as well as the development of the competition of Foreign Direct Investment Moot Shenzhen (FDI Moot Shenzhen). Representatives from ICSID expressed tremendous interest in the recent developments of the SCIA and the South China International Arbitration Center (HK)(SCIAHK).

Ms. Martina Polasek said that with the rapid development of China in the field of investment dispute resolution, the SCIA has successfully hosted the FDI Moot Shenzhen for many years, playing a crucial role in cultivating China’s international investment arbitration elites. ICSID will, as always, strongly support the SCIA in organizing the FDI Moot Shenzhen, and look forward to the upcoming FDI Moot Global Rounds in 2026. Looking ahead, ICSID will continue to deepen its cooperation with the SCIA and jointly promote the development of international investment arbitration in China.

Mr. Gonzalo Flores presented an overview of ICSID cases in recent years, and guided the SCIA delegation on a tour of the ICSID offices and hearing rooms.