The International Arbitration Centre (IAC) has begun its fourth annual IAC Eurasia Arbitration Week 2026 (EAW26), taking place from 30 June to 3 July 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan. IAC EAW26 has brought together leading policymakers, academics, in-house counsel, private practice lawyers, and arbitrators from around the world. The event provides a unique platform for participants to engage with internationally recognised experts in arbitration and dispute resolution. The programme will feature panel discussions, keynote sessions, interactive masterclasses, and advocacy-style debates.
On June 30, a professional training programme in collaboration with the Turkic Arbitration Association (TAA), “The Arbitrator’s Toolkit: From Appointment to Final Award”, provided practical guidance on arbitrator appointments, tribunal management, evidentiary issues and drafting enforceable awards, equipping participants with practical tools for their arbitration practice.
Thereafter, Day 1 of the event formally began with an opening ceremony graced by several distinguished speakers, namely, Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman; Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon KG, AIFC Court Chief Justice; Renat Bekturov, Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Governor; Justice Margarita Odintsova, Judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Justice Aigul Kydyrbayeva, Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Thomas Krümmel
After expressing his excitement and gratitude to the audience for their presence, Thomas Krümmel introduced IAC EAW26 as a fascinating union of great minds in international arbitration for high-class professional exchange and discussion in a haven of legal peace [i.e., Kazakhstan] in a world that gets more complex and less comfortable by the minute.
Thereafter, he extended his gratitude to the AIFC Court and IAC Registrar, the organizing committee, the people, and the staff responsible for making the event possible. He also thanked the platinum, gold, and silver sponsors.
Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon KG
Underscoring the remarkable success of EAW, Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon KG remarked that the event demonstrated the vitality and success of IAC and Kazakhstan as a growing destination of choice for commercial and international dispute resolution. The growth of the AIFC Court and IAC was reflected not only through increased numbers of court cases, arbitrations, and mediations, but also through the extraordinary increase in the number of delegates each year attending EAW.
Tracing the history of EAW, he remarked that the conference had come a long way from the first online one in 2022. Thus, he concluded by welcoming the audience and wishing them a great time at the event.
Renat Bekturov
Beginning by congratulating everyone on the enforcement of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution, Renat Bekturov remarked that the new Constitution would reinforce the rule of law, make institutions stronger, and uphold law and order.
Underscoring the growth of Astana as a hub for dispute resolution, he reflected on the proud creation of AIFC, which was envisioned as not merely a financial hub, but also a place where businesses connect and have a forum for independent and impartial dispute resolution. He emphasized that growth was not just linked to the number of disputes resolved, but also to setting the standard for independent and impartial decision-making in Eurasia and the world at large.
Thus, he concluded by welcoming everyone to the conference and hoped that the discussions would be meaningful, influential, and impactful.
