Bill Marsh has called, and is chairing, an 11 country meeting in Minsk, capital of Belarus, on 11th and 12th October 2016, in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to focus on the resolution of commercial disputes across the region.

The two days of talks will welcome representatives from Ministries of Justice and courts of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine. They will focus on the challenges to implementing and growing commercial mediation across the region.

The meeting is likely to constitute the most senior collection of representatives from those countries ever to meet to consider commercial mediation, and Belarus Minister of Justice Oleg Slizhevski will open and attend the talks. Participants will discuss the practical steps required for mediation in commercial disputes to become a reality, and share experiences, obstacles and new thinking both from within and beyond the region.

Commercial mediation is widely recognised as an important component of effective justice systems, as well as a significant contributor to enhancing the investment and business climate.

Bill Marsh said: “I am delighted to welcome such senior representation from the eleven participating countries, and very grateful to Belarus Minister of Justice Oleg Slizhevski for welcoming us to Minsk for these discussions. Commercial mediation reforms have proved immensely effective in many countries and I have every expectation that these talks assist in will delivering progress on this front. I also thank the EBRD for demonstrating leadership in this field by funding the initiative.

EBRD General Counsel Marie-Anne Birken said “The rule of law is of primary importance for our countries of operation. It is crucial for the development of proper judiciary and for shaping a better investment climate. In this respect the introduction of commercial mediation is another step in the right direction”.