Do you know that with Japan acceding to the Singapore Convention on Mediation ("SCM") this month, 5 of the 6 largest economies signed the SCM? The USA, China, India, Japan and the UK represent more than 50% of the world's GDP*. Japan's accession means that the SCM will enter into force in Japan on April 1, 2024. We congratulate the Japanese government and its advisers for being the first to effectively both sign and ratify the SCM at the same time.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our international and local partners and guests who honored us with their presence at our SIMC Signature Event: MNCs for Mediation: From Disputes to Deal-Making. In the presence of about 250 attendees and Guest-of-Honour, Ms. Indranee Rajah SC, 2nd Minister for Finance and National Development, 42 leading MNCs and industry associations (from 10 countries) signed the Declaration of Intent to Support Mediation. The business community has demonstrated that mediation is an appropriate and viable option for resolving commercial disputes. During the Singapore Convention Week, SIMC signed 6 MOUs and protocols with SCMA and international dispute resolution institutions from India, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam and Türkiye. More on the details below.

In Q3, we were privileged to meet the President of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, Mr Rodrigo Arias Sanchez, and Jamaica's Minister of Justice, the Honourable Delroy Chuck KC, MP to promote mediation and the signing/ratification of SCM. This was in conjunction with our training for judges and senior practitioners in Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the Bahamas, and Trinidad & Tobago. Mediation is on the rise in the Americas and the Caribbean.

SIMC is pleased to share our views (together with SICC & SIAC) on a CNA documentary, "Singapore and the BRI: Opportunities Ahead" aired on October 16. You may now watch it on demand.  

Finally, with conflicts erupting in different parts of the world, we are humbly reminded of the priceless gifts of peace and goodwill. In SIMC, we are grateful to be given an opportunity to play a small role in building harmonious relationships in an increasingly more complex and competitive commercial world.

Yours sincerely,

Meanwhile, should you have any questions, wish to refer a case for mediation, or arrange a meeting or talk on international mediation for your team or clients, simply reply to this email or contact us at marketing@simc.com.sg.