As the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2028, AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026 has set the tone for its next chapter with a call to turn institutional vision into lasting action. Officially inaugurated by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, on 14 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, the eighth edition brings together leaders and practitioners from across the dispute resolution community under the theme “Kainos: Where Vision Transforms Future.”
At the heart of the launch, AIAC unveiled its eight-pillar Jubilee Pledge and the new institutional tagline, “The World Resolves Here”, signalling its ambitions to strengthen institutional trust, advance innovation and accessibility, and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a trusted international hub for alternative dispute resolution.
The official launch day commenced with welcoming remarks by Datuk Danesh Chandran, Chief Executive Officer, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), followed by a special address by YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Malaysia. The inaugural proceedings then continued with the executive address by YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Malaysia, who formally declared the main conference open.
Held under the theme ‘Kainos: Where Vision Transforms Future’, the eighth edition builds on the previous year’s theme, ‘Kairos’, which focused on recognising and seizing the right moment. This year’s theme calls for a shift from opportunity to action, translating institutional vision into meaningful reform and tangible outcomes.
Welcoming remarks: AIAC charts its vision for the next 50 years
In his welcoming remarks, Datuk Danesh Chandran highlighted AIAC’s institutional ambitions as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2028. He outlined the Centre’s vision of becoming an internationally respected, institutionally resilient, financially sustainable and technologically progressive institution that continues to earn the confidence of users worldwide.
“Let it be a platform where ideas are challenged, partnerships are strengthened and conversations are translated into tangible action.”
He emphasised that the initiatives, reforms and partnerships undertaken by AIAC form part of a broader institutional roadmap intended to strengthen its foundations and build a legacy extending beyond individual leadership.
“We are all the custodians of this institution, never owners of the future.”
He also underscored the importance of financial sustainability, institutional independence, neutrality and accessibility, describing ADR as an essential component of economic infrastructure that supports confidence in global trade, investment and economic growth.
Special address: Malaysia’s ambition to become a trusted global ADR hub
Delivering the special address at Asia ADR Week 2026, YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Malaysia, highlighted the importance of legal certainty, institutional credibility and confidence in dispute resolution for businesses and investors operating in an interconnected global economy.
Emphasising the role of institutional trust, she observed:
“Because ultimately, trust cannot be legislated. Trust must be earned. And trust must sustain.”
She reaffirmed the Malaysian Government’s commitment to supporting the development of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) while respecting its independence and impartiality. She highlighted the establishment of the AIAC Court of Arbitration and the privileges and immunities provided under the host country agreement as important elements of the institutional framework supporting the Centre’s development.
She further emphasised that a trusted arbitration jurisdiction requires sound legal infrastructure, judicial support, institutional independence and business-friendly government policies that facilitate cross-border commercial activities.
Addressing Malaysia’s position in the global arbitration landscape, she stated:
“Malaysia must not merely participate in the global arbitration landscape, but we must also aspire to shape its future.”
She stressed that international recognition must translate into greater commercial confidence, stronger investment opportunities and tangible economic benefits for Malaysia.
As AIAC approaches its Golden Jubilee in 2028, she welcomed the Centre’s Jubilee Pledge, which outlines its commitments for the next 50 years, including upholding its founding principles, strengthening its institutional legacy and contributing to the wider ADR industry. She also welcomed AIAC’s efforts towards financial independence and sustainability, noting the institutional progress made over the preceding three years.
Highlighting the importance of sustained institutional reform, she referred to ongoing initiatives involving digitalisation, stakeholder engagement, institutional collaboration, and thought leadership. She emphasised that AIAC’s future success should not be measured solely by the number of arbitration cases administered or agreements signed, but also by the confidence it inspires, the commercial certainty it provides, and its contribution to economic growth and access to justice.
She identified three guiding principles for AIAC’s future: institutional independence, integrity in governance, and excellence in delivery.
Linking the development of a trusted justice system with economic growth and investment, she said:
“Let us turn vision into action. Let us turn reform into results.”
She further underscored Malaysia’s ambition to establish itself as a globally trusted arbitration jurisdiction, stating:
“Our ambition is not merely to make Malaysia a destination for arbitration, but our ambition is to make Malaysia a jurisdiction that the world trusts.”
Executive address: Deputy Prime Minister officially opens the conference
Delivering the executive address, YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, called on the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) community to translate institutional ambitions into meaningful action and build a dispute resolution ecosystem that inspires confidence across Malaysia and Asia.
He acknowledged YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said for her leadership in advancing Malaysia’s legislative and institutional reforms in arbitration and ADR. He also expressed appreciation to the speakers, moderators, sponsors, partners and delegates for their contributions to making AIAC Asia ADR Week a fixture on the international calendar.
Reflecting on the progression from the previous year’s focus on seizing the moment to this year’s emphasis on transformation, he invoked a line widely attributed to Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Calling on the ADR community to turn its ambitions into tangible outcomes, he stated:
“The moment has been seized, now let us transform it.”
He urged stakeholders to work towards a Malaysia and an Asia where every dispute has access to a fair, swift and trusted path to resolution.
“So let us build a Malaysia and an Asia where every dispute finds a fair, swift and trusted path to resolution.”
The Deputy Prime Minister then formally declared the main conference of AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026 open, marking the official commencement of the conference proceedings. He concluded by wishing participants a productive and inspiring week in Kuala Lumpur.
AIAC unveils its Jubilee Pledge
The AIAC unveiled its eight-pillar Jubilee Pledge and new institutional tagline, ‘The World Resolves Here’, during the official launch of Asia ADR Week 2026 on 14 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The announcements mark a significant step in the Centre’s preparations for its 50th anniversary in 2028 and its vision for the next five decades of ADR.
The eight pillars are:
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Rule of Law
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Efficiency and Excellence
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Strategic Cooperation
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Openness and Accessibility
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Leadership and Innovation
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Venue and Global Home
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Ethics and Evolution
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Sustainability
The pledge reflects AIAC’s commitment to strengthening its institutional foundations, promoting innovation and accessibility, advancing strategic cooperation, and contributing to a more connected international ADR community. It also reinforces the Centre’s ambition to position Malaysia as a trusted global home for ADR.
Official Launch
Charting the future of alternative dispute resolution
The official launch of Asia ADR Week 2026 places institutional transformation, trust and international cooperation at the centre of discussions on the future of dispute resolution. As AIAC approaches its Golden Jubilee, the Jubilee Pledge provides a framework for its ambitions in governance, innovation, accessibility, sustainability and global engagement.
Asia ADR Week 2026 sets the stage for continued dialogue on how institutions, practitioners and governments can work together to strengthen international dispute resolution and support cross-border commerce, investment and access to justice.
SCC Times is the official media partner for AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026. Read more about AIAC Asia ADR Week 2026.
