Deputy Prime Minister (PM), and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs (MCAE), Francisco Kalbuadi Lay opened the seminar of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the theme “Navigating International Investment and Commercial Disputes”, at the Dili Convention Center (CCD).

In this international seminar, the Government invited two keynote speakers from the Permanent Court of Arbitration such as Garth Schofield and Martin Doe to share their experiences and thoughts with judicial authors in Timor-Leste composed of the President of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the Court of Appeal, District Court Judges and members of the Attorney General including the Attorney General. lawyers and public defenders also participated in the seminar.

At the opening, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay with great satisfaction welcomed all participants in the important seminar on the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“Your presence today shows recognition of the importance of international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes for the development and stability of our country,” said the Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs also informed that, in 2024, Timor-Leste will become a member for the 123rd time of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, marking a significant step in our commitment to the international legal order and adherence to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
This strategic step comes at a crucial moment, where Timor-Leste is strengthening its international economic presence, as evidenced by last year’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in the near future Timor-Leste will also integrate into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Timor-Leste’s participation in the Permanent Court of Arbitration not only strengthens the confidence of the international community to engage in commercial activity, but also offers us a unique forum for the resolution of disputes involving states, international organizations and private entities, through mechanisms such as arbitration, mediation, fact-checking and verification.

In promoting the attraction of foreign investment and strengthening the legal framework, it is highly imperative for government institutions, judicial bodies and justice sector services, legal professionals and the business sector to understand about the mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of international disputes, such as those provided by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The main objective of this seminar is to increase knowledge about the role of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Timor-Leste’s effective access to dispute resolution mechanisms – particularly foreign investment and trade, and finally to explore the supports that the Permanent Court of Arbitration has in instruments such as harmonization.

“Before concluding, I would like to express once again my welcome and gratitude to the Deputy Secretaries-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Mr. Garth Schofield and Mr. Martin Doe, for their readiness and availability to share their experience and knowledge in a seminar that is more experienced than they are. involving the Timor Sea Treaty and other internationally relevant cases are valuable to all of us,” said Vice PM.
In addition to the ceremony, the Vice-PM and MCAE, thanked the collaboration of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Prime Minister’s Office to organize this important event.

“Finally, I firmly believe that this seminar will contribute significantly to the understanding of the role of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the mechanism of peaceful resolution of international disputes. I wish you an active and interesting discussion,” said V-PM and MCAE.

Source: media V-PM no MCAE.