Riyadh: Riyadh will host the third edition of Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW) on February 1, as the largest legal event in the Middle East and North Africa, organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA).
According to Saudi Press Agency, this year's edition will feature a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), bringing together decision-makers, legal experts, and business leaders to highlight UNCITRAL's achievements over six decades and its role in harmonizing commercial laws globally and developing unified legal frameworks that facilitate international trade.
The Organizing and Scientific Committee announced that around 80 specialized legal events will be held under the week, which runs from February 1 to 5, 2026, covering a wide range of themes based on subject matter, business sector, geographic scope, and event format. On its fourth day, RIDW will also feature the fifth international conference of the SCCA, attracting local and international participation, including leading decision-makers, business leaders, and legal experts.
The release added that the week will also include several high-profile events, such as the closing ceremony of the seventh edition of the International Commercial Arbitration Moot, a panel discussion on the New York Convention held at the Arab level with the participation of 22 judges from across the region, the annual academic legal forum, and the 'Influence Riyadh Evenings' series, which addresses issues at the intersection of law and society.
RIDW has received support from local and international entities, including the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Investment, in addition to prominent international organizations such as the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), and the International Bar Association (IBA), reflecting the Kingdom's leading role and growing global standing in the dispute resolution industry.
RIDW is one of the world's major disputes weeks and a prominent global event that attracts a broad range of stakeholders and key players in the dispute resolution industry, including government entities, academic institutions, businesses, and legal practitioners from various local and international sectors. It provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation on issues related to commercial and investment arbitration, mediation and conciliation, litigation, and the rule of law.