The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has published its codes of conduct and commentary for arbitrators and judges in international investment dispute resolution. Both codes of conduct contain information and commentary on definitions, the application of the code, independence and impartiality, limit on multiple roles, the duty of diligence, integrity and competence, ex parte communication, confidentiality, disclosure obligations and compliance with the code. Additionally, the code of conduct for arbitrators contains information on fees and expenses and engaging an assistant.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has published the working documents and draft texts for its 52nd session on investor–State dispute settlement (ISDS) reform, scheduled for 22–26 September 2025 in Vienna. The materials include draft provisions on procedural issues, damage calculation, and a proposed standing dispute resolution mechanism, reflecting broad international engagement.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has published its ‘Report of Working Group III (Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform) on the work of its 47th session’. In this session, the UNCITRAL expressed its satisfaction with the progress made by the Working Group and it requested the Working Group to continue its work. The UNCITRAL also encouraged the Working Group to present the draft text on an advisory centre on international investment law and a guidance text on means to prevent and mitigate disputes for its consideration in 2024.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group III has published its report on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) reform, on the deliberations of its fifty-first session’s, second part, held in New York (from 7 to 11 April 2025). The session reviewed the design of Appeals Tribunal procedure, outlining revised proposals for establishing a standing mechanism to resolve international investment disputes. It highlights a shift towards a more restricted appellate framework—limiting appeals to final awards or decisions and incorporating a 120-day filling period—while evaluating the legal grounds such as errors in law and manifest errors in fact. Additionally, the report addresses procedural reforms including the promotion of local remedies, the waiver of rights to initiate parallel dispute proceedings, fixed limitation periods for claims and updates regarding denial of benefits, shareholder claims and the reaffirms of State’s right to regulate. Further refinement of these measures is planned for discussion at the forthcoming fifty-second session in autumn 2025.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group III has published a report on its meeting held in New York from 17-19 February 2025, discussing investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) reform. The session reviewed implementation of the advisory centre on international investment dispute resolution statute adopted in 2024, with future operational meetings planned for Yerevan in May 2025. The Working Group also examined articles 5-11 of the draft multilateral instrument on ISDS reform, covering entry into force, treaty notifications and amendment procedures. Discussions focused on mechanisms for modifying existing investment treaties through the new Convention framework.

Text on obligations of directors of enterprise group companies in the period approaching insolvency: status The UNCITRAL Model Law on enterprise groups (MLEG) was approved by Working Group V (the UNCITRAL working group dealing with insolvency issues) in 2018 (at their 54th session in Vienna, 10–14 December 2018). The supporting guide to enactment and text on obligations of directors of enterprise group companies in the period approaching insolvency (the Directors’ Guide) were both approved and adopted by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (the Commission) in 2019 (at the 53rd session in New York, 6–17 July 2019) (see A/74/17—Report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law fifty-second session (advance copy)). The Directors’ Guide is an additional section in part four of the UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Insolvency law dealing with directors’ obligations (see Practice Note: UNCITRAL guidance on directors' obligations in the period approaching insolvency). UNCITRAL recommends that all states across the globe consider the UNCITRAL Legislative Guide when revising or adopting

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) will hold a colloquium on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dispute resolution and remote hearings on 16–17 February 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The programme will comprise three panel discussions: (1) arbitrators and the use of AI, (2) the use of AI in mediation and remote mediation; and (3) procedural guidance and best practices for conducting remote hearings in arbitration. UNCITRAL has also published an annotated provisional agenda for the 83rd session of Working Group II: Dispute Settlement, which is scheduled to take place from 16–20 February 2026 in New York.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has announced that when it convenes on 1 to 2 October 2024, at its fifty-seventh session, the mandated Working Group II will work on the recognition and enforcement of electronic arbitral awards and, subsequently, on electronic notices of arbitration. UNCITRAL has also requested that the Secretariat organise a two-day colloquium during the eightieth session of the Working Group to further assess the issues with respect to the use of electronic awards.

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group III has announced its 81st session taking place from 3 February 2025 to 7 February 2025 in New York. The UNCITRAL has been tasked with addressing the recognition and enforcement of electronic arbitral awards. Following a two-day colloquium, the Working Group has requested the Secretariat to prepare a comprehensive note examining the interplay between UNCITRAL's electronic commerce and international arbitration instruments, a recommendation text to clarify the New York Convention's applicability to electronic awards, potential amendments to the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and guidance for relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the Secretariat has been asked to compile information from member states regarding the status and treatment of electronic and digitally signed arbitral awards in both foreign and domestic contexts.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has announced that it will organise the first-ever Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF), from 21–24 May 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados, with the aim to discuss the changing landscape of international trade and logistics. The GSCF will focus on the vital role of global supply chains in promoting economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. Recognising the disproportionate impact of supply chain disruptions on vulnerable economies far from the main lines of trade, especially small island developing states (SIDS) and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), the forum will explore ways to strengthen resilience and sustainability in global supply chains, ranging from trade facilitation reforms to digital innovations. The GSCF will also discuss strategies for enhancing the resilience of seaports, particularly in vulnerable coastal nations. Finally, the GSCF will gather stakeholders from around the world to discuss pressing issues and explore innovative solutions. By aligning with conferences focusing on the unique challenges of SIDS and LLDCs, the GSCF aims to foster collaboration and highlight practical approaches to sustainable development and resilient transport.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) have announced a joint conference to be held on 31 March 2025 in Paris to address investment treaty reform. The conference aims to modernise over 2,000 outdated international investment agreements, focusing on sustainable investment flows, policy space preservation and investor-state dispute settlement reform.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has enhanced its Investment Dispute Settlement Navigator, with the addition of 1,401 investor–State dispute settlement (ISDS) cases under investment treaties, as of 31 December 2024. The update incorporates new cases, arbitral decisions, and arbitrator appointments sourced from public and specialised reports. In 2024, at least 58 new ISDS cases were initiated, with 135 countries and the European Union having been respondents in such claims. An analysis of ISDS trends will feature in the upcoming World Investment Report 2025.