Dubai Hosts Inaugural Mediation Summit 2026, Marking A Milestone for Dispute Resolution in the GCC

Monday 2 February 2026

The Mediation Hub MENA and Dubai International Arbitration Centre co-hosted the inaugural Mediation Summit 2026, a landmark gathering that brought together policymakers, legislators, legal experts, and mediation practitioners from across the globe to explore the growing role of mediation in the GCC.

The summit featured a wide range of insightful panels and discussions, examining international trends alongside sector-specific challenges and opportunities for mediation. Among the highlights was a panel on Family Business and SME Disputes moderated by IPOS mediator Henrietta Jackson-Stops,, with panellists  Walid S. Chiniara and Alia AlMulla, which sparked an engaging and practical conversation on dispute resolution in the Family Business and SME sectors.

Another standout moment was a keynote address by Her Excellency Sarah Shaw, CEO of MAJRA, who spoke compellingly on the role of mediation within corporate ESG policy frameworks.

The event also saw two significant announcements: the launch of a Dubai International Mediation Centre by the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, and the introduction of a Mediation Pledge by The Mediation Hub MENA, underscoring Dubai’s ambition to position itself as a global leader in mediation.

IPOS were honored to be there at this landmark event and look forward to seeing the development of the mediation landscape  in the GCC and beyond.