On Saturday, 9 November 2024, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai had the privilege of hosting a UAE edition of the first UNCITRAL Day for Arab States initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).The event brought together key figures from the legal, academic, and policy sectors across the region to engage in discussions on the future of international arbitration. The UNCITRAL Day for Arab States is part of a global initiative by UNCITRAL aimed at promoting dialogue and improving the legal frameworks for international trade and arbitration.The first panel examined the transparency vs confidentiality dilemma in arbitration, where speakers explored the delicate balance between fostering transparency in arbitration and maintaining the confidentiality needed for sensitive disputes. In that context, the UNCITRAL Transparency Standards, which are celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2024, have been highlighted as a sound example for enhancing transparency in treaty-based investor-state arbitrations, to tackle the concerns surrounding Investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS).The standards that are being considered or have been implemented in various states in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, also paved the way for the ongoing work by UNCITRAL Working Group III on ISDS reform. The second panel provided a detailed explanation of the new UNCITRAL Code of Conduct for Arbitrators, outlining its essential obligations and how it aims to standardise ethical standards in the field. An exchange of views on different possible means of implementation of this soft law instrument ensued.The discussions were enriched by the contributions of prominent speakers and leaders of key institutions, including Yaochen Gong, Legal Officer, UNCITRAL secretariat; Nikola Kovacikova, Associate Legal Officer, UNCITRAL secretariat; Fatima Balfaqeeh, Managing Partner at Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultants; Professor Giovanni Zara, Senior Associate, Hogan Lovells; Christian Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration; Kristin Campbell-Wilson, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre; Sherif Akl, Director of the International Chamber of Commerce; and Ezzeddine Baassiri, Founder & Managing Partner, Baassiri Law Firm, Counsel, Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Centre.Yasmin Sebah, Senior Law Lecturer at MDX Dubai, said: “With arbitration being increasingly utilised as a preferred method of dispute resolution for international investment and commercial agreements across the region, the UNCITRAL Day for Arab States at Middlesex University Dubai could not have been timelier.“It was fascinating to discuss the fine art of balancing transparency and confidentiality in arbitration, and why we need to develop adaptable frameworks that build trust while safeguarding sensitive interests. The UNCITRAL Code of Conduct for Arbitrators and its efforts to uphold ethics and professionalism was another key focus of the event, leaving all attendees with new insights, enriched knowledge, and fresh perspectives on the complexities of arbitration."Professor Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director of Teaching & Learning, Law and Sciences Head of Law and Politics at MDX Dubai, said: “It was an honour to host the UAE UNCITRAL Day for Arab States here at Middlesex University Dubai. UNCITRAL’s initiatives have long been instrumental in enhancing legal certainty and stability for cross-border transactions, which are crucial for economic growth in the Arab region.“This was an outstanding event that truly reflected our commitment to providing quality education to our students within and beyond the classroom and empowering them to lead fulfilling and successful careers.“The event provided our students with a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts, gain insights into contemporary legal challenges, and explore potential career paths in international trade and arbitration. We want to express our gratitude to UNCITRAL for partnering with us and to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the distinguished speakers, partners and students who contributed to the day’s engaging discussions.”MDX Dubai is committed to offering high quality education, through its engaging and up-to-date curriculum, as well as exposing students to employers and supporting them to develop skills that will empower them to be successful professionals, and lead fulfilling careers.

Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai have taken another step towards sustainability with the launch of a new recycling programme in collaboration with EnviroServe, a leading environmental services provider.The launch, which took place on Thursday 7 November 2024, was attended by students, faculty, and staff who gathered to learn about the initiative, student projects and how they can contribute to the UN’s ambition goal of attaining 100% resource recovery – with all materials and products recovered, recycled or reused.The programme, designed to improve waste management and promote sustainable practices across the campus, includes the installation of four dry-waste recycling bins in the main lobbies and a dedicated e-waste collection bin in Block 16 at the Dubai Knowledge Park campus.The goal of the in initiative is to make recycling more accessible and efficient for the entire university community, allowing students and staff to easily dispose of plastics, paper, glass, and cans.During the event, representatives from EnviroServe and the MDX Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD) outlined the key objectives of the programme: raising awareness about environmental issues, promoting responsible recycling, and minimising contamination in the recycling bins.The launch event featured presentations from business students and the poetry and public speaking club, where students shared reflections on the importance of environmental consciousness, sustainability and how to reduce food wastage.EnviroServe is a leading environmental services company based in the UAE, specialising in sustainable waste management solutions. Known for its advanced recycling facilities, EnviroServe helps businesses and communities manage waste in an environmentally responsible way, ensuring that materials are properly processed and diverted from landfills.The introduction of accessible recycling bins across campus, partnered with EnviroServe, shows the University’s proactive steps toward supporting the goals set out in the UAE Green Agenda 2030. This national initiative aims to reduce the country’s environmental footprint by promoting waste reduction, increasing recycling rates, and fostering a circular economy.

On Friday 1 November 2024, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai brought together climate action advocates and experts to discuss pivotal issues ahead of the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).As nations prepare for the summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, the roundtable aimed to shed light on the complex landscape of international climate negotiations.The event was co-ordinated by Tejas Rao, adjunct lecturer in Climate Law at MDX Dubai, and PhD Student and Researcher at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge; and Mahine Ahmad, Senior Lecturer in Law at MDX Dubai.The roundtable addressed five key topics crucial to the COP29 agenda: adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage/climate justice, climate finance, and the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on climate obligations.The panel discussed how to effectively build on COP28 that was held in Dubai last year, progress tracking on global goal adaptation and the strategies going forward for enhanced emissions reduction.Speakers included Dr Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director Teaching & Learning, MDX Dubai; Dr Maria Antonieta Nestor, Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge; Layla El Wafi, Senior Lawyer at Standard Chartered Bank; Hafij Khan, Environment Lawyer at LDC Climate Change; Dr Pedro Schilling De Carvalho, Lecturer at University College London; and Jule Schnakenberg, Co-Ordinator for World’s Youth for Climate Justice.Mahine said: “Following the historic achievements of COP28 in Dubai, our pre-COP29 briefing seminar at MDX Dubai marks another milestone as we launch the UAE's first comprehensive course in Global Climate Law and Governance.“Building on our successful hosting of Climate Law and Governance Day 2023, this roundtable brought together leading experts to unpack critical themes from adaptation and climate finance to the groundbreaking ICJ Advisory Opinion.”Tejas added: “As educators, we have a profound responsibility to not just teach climate governance, but to inspire the next generation of climate leaders.“By connecting our students directly with practitioners working on loss and damage frameworks, ESG standards, and climate justice, we're transforming complex global challenges into tangible learning opportunities and empowering our students to go beyond the classroom and engage with the world out there.”MDX Dubai offer a module in a Climate Law and Governance as part of students third year in LLB Law and LLB Law with International Relations undergraduate courses.They also offer an MA in Global Governance and Sustainable Development. Designed to develop students' systematic critical awareness of the complexities that inhibit the ability of national and international policies to effectively address global challenges such as climate change and poverty.There are places available to start on this course in January – apply now.