On 8 October 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) co-organised a Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), held alongside the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee (ATF-JCC) meeting. The workshop aimed to enhance ASEAN officials’ understanding of ADR methods - including consultation, good offices, conciliation, and mediation - share international experiences, and explore how ADR can support trade facilitation, regional integration, and sustainable economic cooperation within ASEAN.

The Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) was jointly organized on 8th October 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). The one-day workshop took place alongside the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee (ATF-JCC) meeting to strengthen synergies between dispute resolution and ASEAN’s trade facilitation agenda.

As ASEAN deepens regional economic integration, the need for effective and cooperative dispute resolution mechanisms has become increasingly important to ensure smooth trade and investment flows, safeguard trust, and maintain economic resilience.

ADR methods - including consultation, good offices, conciliation, and mediation - offer flexible approaches that can complement existing intergovernmental dispute settlement frameworks such as the ASEAN Protocol on the Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism (EDSM).

The workshop aimed to:
1. Build awareness of ADR methods and their relevance to ASEAN trade and investment;
2. Explore the use of ADR in State-to-State disputes, drawing lessons from ASEAN’s EDSM and international practices;
3. Introduce ADR in international commercial and investment disputes, with emphasis on the Singapore Convention on Mediation; and
4. Discuss practical ways ADR could support ASEAN’s trade facilitation and integration initiatives.

Throughout the day, participants exchanged views on how ADR could prevent the escalation of disputes, reduce costs and time, and preserve cooperative relations between states and businesses. They also discussed capacity-building needs and opportunities to further develop ADR expertise across ASEAN institutions.

Key sessions covered topics such as the evolution and principles of ADR, its role in State-to-State disputes, and regional applications relevant to the ATF-JCC’s work on non-tariff measures, customs procedures, and trade facilitation.

The workshop concluded with reflections by Professor Rajesh Sharma, who summarized the key takeaways, and a forward-looking discussion led by ADB and ADBI representatives on potential pathways for continued cooperation, including training, research, and technical support.

By enhancing understanding of ADR mechanisms, the workshop is expected to contribute to ASEAN’s efforts to promote a rules-based, cooperative, and business-friendly economic environment, supporting the region’s goal of deeper economic integration and sustainable growth.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam