Expert Seminar in Málaga Focuses on International Arbitration and Commercial Diplomacy
TL;DR
- The University of Málaga hosted an international seminar on arbitration and diplomatic trade relations.
- Experts discussed challenges and opportunities in international arbitration, emphasizing the Europe-Asia context.
- Key panels addressed legal certainty, investment disputes, and harmonization in commercial law.
Overview
On April 17, 2026, the University of Málaga (UMA) held an international seminar addressing the role of arbitration and commercial diplomacy in a changing world. The event convened legal, academic, and business experts to discuss evolving issues in international arbitration, with a special focus on cooperation between Europe and Asia.
What Happened
The seminar opened with remarks by Enrique Nava Baro (UMA), Mar Torres (Málaga City Council), and Liu Yuanyuan (Shanghai Arbitration Commission - SHAC), highlighting the strategic importance of international cooperation and arbitration.
Francesco Cappè, SHAC's European representative, introduced the central theme of the seminar - arbitration and commercial diplomacy between Europe and China - joined by UMA professor Rocío Caro Gándara.
Rocco Palma, Senior Legal Officer at UNIDROIT, delivered the keynote, examining investment arbitration, sustainability, and commercial diplomacy, and addressed contemporary challenges facing the sector.
A session with the Málaga Arbitration Tribunal (TAM) analyzed its strategic role in disputes related to construction, maritime, and multimodal transport. Business perspectives on trade with Asia were offered by Francisco Javier Jiménez Badía, president of the Málaga Business Circle.
The closing roundtable, moderated by Palma and Cappè, covered arbitration as a diplomatic tool, legal certainty for cross-border investments, and the harmonization of commercial law. A practical case on regulatory risks in renewable energy projects in Spain was also presented to illustrate current legal challenges.
Context
As international trade continues to grow, arbitration serves as a primary mechanism for resolving cross-border disputes. The seminar's emphasis on Europe-Asia relations reflects increasing economic ties and the complexity of multinational investments.
Institutions like SHAC and TAM provide platforms for efficient dispute resolution, while the ongoing legal evolution-in sectors such as renewable energy-poses new challenges to practitioners and policymakers.
Why It Matters
- Events like this highlight the ongoing need for dialogue and knowledge sharing among law, business, and government professionals involved in international dispute resolution.
- The focus on legal certainty, harmonization, and diplomatic aspects reflects priorities for global commerce and foreign investment, especially between Europe and Asia.