International conference on industry and commerce dispute resolution concludes with a 13-point declaration

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week 2024 concluded on Sunday at Godavari, Lalitpur, with the issuance of a 13-point declaration.

The conference, organized by the Nepal International ADR Center (NIAC), began on Thursday and wrapped up on Monday. The declaration specifically called for signing and ratifying the Singapore Convention, promoting Himalayan conservation and green mediation, enhancing access to justice through online dispute resolution systems and technological advancements, and forming a coalition of mountainous nations for the protection of mountainous regions.

During the week-long event, participants—including institutions, experts, and business representatives from various countries—discussed ways to encourage dispute resolution through mediation and reconciliation.

Under the theme “Modernizing Dispute Resolution: The Role of ADR in Enhancing Access to Justice”, the conference hosted representatives from 17 countries. On the final day, a special session was held on opportunities related to climate change.

According to NIAC Secretary General Senior Advocate Matrika Prasad Niraula, representatives from Nepal, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the UK, New Zealand, China, and the USA participated in the event.

Niraula stated that discussions covered topics such as contract disputes, construction and development-related conflicts, investment disputes, UN model law frameworks, and the role of the judiciary in mediation and reconciliation.

The event was attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, NIAC Chairman Dr. Mukti Ram Rijal, Deepak Shrestha, Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Harishankar Niraula, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Nepal, Justice Ravindra Bhatt, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India, and Justice Kumar Regmi of the Supreme Court of Nepal, among others.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Sapkota gave a presentation on the impact of climate change and the importance of promoting the green mediation campaign. He highlighted that Nepal had suffered economic losses amounting to 2,778 million annually as of 2019 due to climate change. He also emphasized the environmental and geographical significance of the Himalayas, particularly the importance of major rivers originating from the region, such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra.

“The Himalayan region has been directly affected by climate change. This has deeply impacted not only natural systems but also the livelihoods of millions of people,” Dr. Sapkota stated during his presentation.

Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla of the Supreme Court of Nepal remarked during the closing ceremony that technology has significantly transformed daily life.

She said, “Technology has changed the way we live. Everyone has a mobile phone now. I first saw a computer in Italy in 1990. Today, we have email access on our phones. Technology has given us positive tools, and we are already reaping its benefits.”

The closing ceremony also saw the issuance of the 13-point declaration by NIAC Chairman Dr. Mukti Rijal, Professor Dr. Rajesh Sharma from RMIT (India), Tenzin Liwan, Chief Administrator of Bhutan ADR Center, Snigdha Bhatt from the Singapore International Arbitration Center, and Simran Napit, Branch Officer of the Supreme Court of Nepal, among others.