2023 Global Conference: Africa Arbitration Day - New York

This free hybrid event highlighted important issues and trends relevant to arbitration in Africa and fostering greater community among international arbitration practitioners in North America and Africa. For full program information, visit the event page here.

We’re pleased to share with you photos from the event: AAD-NY 2023 photo album

Panel 1 recording includes:

Welcome by Knar Nahikian, CPR Institute
Opening Remarks by Nawi Ukabiala, Debevoise & Plimpton

Panel 1 - The State of Arbitration in Africa and the Prospects for “Africanization”This panel discussed recent developments in, and prospects for the “Africanization” of dispute settlement including the African Arbitration Academy’s Model BIT and the AfCFTA, which contains an innovative Investment Protocol and a commitment to negotiate an investment dispute mechanism. 

• Moderator: Mohannad A. El Murtadi Suleiman (Counsel, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP)
• Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu (University of Saskatchewan) 
• Alice Gyamfi (Associate, DLA Piper) 
• Professor Uché Ewelukwa Ofodile (University of Arkansas School of Law)
• Jennifer Glasser (Partner, White & Case LLP)

Panel 2 recording includes:

2023 AAD-NY Arbitration Moot Competition Award, presented by Prince-Alex Iwu

• Best Oralist: Benjamin Allen (University of Virginia)
• Certificates of Participation: Naomie Mujinga Malumba (Cardozo Law) and Juan David Arciniegas Parra (University of Rosario)

Panel 2 – The Role of Arbitral Institutions and the Future of Ad Hoc Arbitration in Africa

This panel discussed the challenges facing African arbitral institutions, solutions, and why ad hoc arbitration has continued to be preferred in some African jurisdictions.

• Moderator: Victoria Safran (Partner, Sentner Safran LLP, Former Chair of NYC Bar African Affairs Committee) 
• Mohamed Sweify (Associate, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP)
• Prince-Alex Iwu (Diaz, Reus & Targ LLP) 
  
• Melida Hodgson (Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP) 

2023 AAD-NY STEERING COMMITTEE

Special thanks to the 2023 AAD-NY Steering Committee:

• Nawi Ukabiala (Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, New York)
• Tiwalade Aderoju (Olympus Solicitors and Advocates, Lagos, Nigeria)
• Prince-Alex Iwu (Diaz, Reus & Targ LLP, Miami)
• Chinwe Ohanele (Ohanele Law Firm, Los Angeles; Adjunct Professor, USC Gould School of Law)
• Mohannad A. El Murtadi Suleiman, FCIArb (Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, New York)