In a historic signing ceremony held yesterday in Singapore for the international community, Fiji signed up to the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Fiji’s High Commissioner to Australia, Luke Daunivalu, represented the Fijian Government at the high-level event that saw 46 countries sign the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, otherwise known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation”.
The signing of the Singapore Convention marks an important milestone in the resolution of international trade disputes. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018.
The Convention will facilitate trade and commerce by enabling disputing parties to easily enforce and invoke settlement agreements across borders. Businesses will benefit from mediation as an additional option to litigation and arbitration in settling cross-border disputes.
The application of this Convention within Fiji is expected to enhance Fiji’s status as a hub of commerce in the region. It will serve to strengthen Fiji’s appeal to foreign investors and overseas trading partners. Samoa and Palau also signed the Convention today in Singapore. Other Pacific island countries are expected to sign soon.
Also attending the Singapore Convention signing ceremony and conference were the Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Kamal Kumar, High Court Judge, Justice Suresh Chandra, Chief Registrar, Justice Yohan Liyanage, and the First Secretary at the Fiji Embassy in Indonesia, Mr Vilikesa Naivalucava.
Several members of the legal fraternity in Fiji participated in the conference as registered Mediators. The aim is to promote mediation in Fiji as an alternative dispute resolution tool.
Over 1,400 participants, with 70 countries represented, attended the conference and witnessed the signing of the Singapore Convention.