Macao Special Administrative Region is set to host the second Lusophone Arbitration Congress later this year, a landmark event poised to attract a significant number of Chinese arbitrators and further solidify the SAR's role as a vital platform for economic and legal cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

This year's congress, to be held from Oct 15 to Oct 18, themed "Building Global Platforms for Innovative Justice", will be the largest gathering of Lusophone arbitrators, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange, said event co-host Lusophone Arbitration and Mediation Association, also known as the ALAM.

Other organizers include the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, the South China International Arbitration Center (HK), and the University of Saint Joseph.

The event aligns with the ministerial declarations of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), or Forum Macao. The Plan of Action from the fifth Ministerial Conference (2017-19) explicitly encouraged leveraging Macao's unique advantages in understanding the legal systems of both China and Portuguese-speaking nations, promoting it as a prime location for arbitrating trade disputes.

In addition, the event is held with support from the diplomatic missions of all eight Portuguese-speaking countries in China. This broad coalition of support signals a strong commitment to fostering a robust legal framework for Sino-Lusophone trade and investment, the ALAM said.

The upcoming congress is a direct fulfillment of this mandate, showcasing Macao's capacity as a hub for international arbitration in regard to its platform role, said Bruno Nunes, chairman of the ALAM.

According to the organizer, key sessions of the congress will delve into topics of immense interest to Chinese legal professionals — including "Arbitration and One Belt, One Road", and "Future of Sino-Lusophone Arbitration".

The congress will feature representatives from the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the Portuguese Arbitration Association, the Brazilian Arbitration Committee and the most relevant arbitration centers and bars in Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Lusophone world, with a combined GDP of $2.7 trillion and a population of over 258 million across four continents, represents a significant and growing market for Chinese businesses and legal experts.

"For Chinese arbitrators, the 2nd Lusophone Arbitration Congress presents a unique and invaluable opportunity. It offers a platform to engage directly with leading legal minds from the Portuguese-speaking world, gain insights into the nuances of their legal systems, and build professional networks," said Nunes.

According to the ALAM, the congress will also feature regional extensions to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, as well as the Hong Kong SAR, from Oct 19 to Oct 21, to further enhance connections and provide additional opportunities for in-depth discussions and networking with local legal communities.

"The second congress is more than just a conference — it is a testament to Macao's enduring role as a bridge between China and the Portuguese-speaking world," said Nunes, adding that by bringing together the legal minds from both sides, the congress will not only advance the field of international arbitration but also contribute to a more stable and predictable legal environment for trade and investment, fostering greater economic prosperity for all.