The ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) has officially unveiled its new cohort of Regional Representatives for the 2026-2028 mandate, signaling a significant expansion of the International Chamber of Commerce’s outreach to the next generation of dispute resolution professionals. This latest selection marks the largest and most geographically diverse group in the forum’s history, comprising 116 practitioners who will serve as the primary link between the ICC and the global community of young arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) specialists. The announcement underscores the ICC’s ongoing commitment to fostering a representative and inclusive environment that reflects the shifting dynamics of international trade and legal practice.
The 2026-2028 cohort is designed to mirror the multi-faceted nature of the modern legal landscape. The 116 professionals selected for this mandate are not limited to traditional legal counsel; the group includes in-house counsel, arbitrators, technical experts, academics, and specialized ADR practitioners. By integrating such a wide array of professional backgrounds, ICC YAAF aims to strengthen local engagement while simultaneously fostering high-level connections across its extensive global network. This strategy ensures that the forum remains attuned to the specific needs of different jurisdictions while maintaining a cohesive international standard for dispute resolution.
Historical Context: The Evolution of ICC YAAF since 2008
The ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum was established in 2008 as a dedicated platform for practitioners aged 40 and under. At its inception, the forum was intended to bridge the gap between junior associates and the senior echelons of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. Over the past 16 years, it has grown from a fledgling initiative into a massive global network that currently connects more than 45,800 members. This growth has been driven by the increasing complexity of international commerce and the subsequent demand for specialized dispute resolution expertise in emerging markets.
The forum operates through seven regional chapters, each overseen by a Head of Chapter and supported by the Regional Representatives. These chapters—covering Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania—ensure that the ICC’s resources and educational opportunities are accessible to practitioners regardless of their geographic location. The 2026-2028 mandate represents the latest chapter in this evolution, building on the foundations laid by previous cohorts who successfully navigated the challenges of a global pandemic and the rapid digitalization of legal proceedings.
Detailed Demographic and Geographic Breakdown
Diversity remains a cornerstone of the ICC’s institutional identity, and the 2026-2028 cohort of Regional Representatives reflects this priority with unprecedented clarity. The representatives are based in 87 different cities across 73 countries, representing a total of 78 nationalities. Collectively, the group speaks 20 languages, a factor that is increasingly critical in an era where cross-border disputes often involve parties from vastly different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The geographic reach of this mandate is particularly noteworthy. For the first time in the history of the forum, 13 countries and four major international cities will have dedicated representation. The newly represented countries include:
- Africa: Benin, Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Asia: Bhutan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Nepal.
- Europe: Denmark, Netherlands, and Slovakia.
- Americas: Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
In addition to these national additions, the ICC YAAF has welcomed representatives based in four cities for the first time: Douala (Cameroon), Düsseldorf (Germany), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Islamabad (Pakistan). The inclusion of these locations highlights the ICC’s strategic focus on regions with high growth potential in the arbitration and ADR sectors. For instance, the addition of Hanoi reflects Vietnam’s rising status as a regional manufacturing hub, while the inclusion of Kazakhstan and Iraq points to the increasing importance of energy-related dispute resolution in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Professional Roles and the Mandate of the New Cohort
The primary responsibility of the 116 Regional Representatives is to act as ambassadors for the ICC YAAF within their respective jurisdictions. Over the course of their two-year term, they will play a pivotal role in organizing and promoting over 100 events annually. These events include high-level conferences, practical workshops, specialized training sessions, and networking opportunities designed to help young professionals develop their expertise and expand their professional circles.
The composition of the cohort—including experts and academics alongside practicing lawyers—is a deliberate move to break down the silos that often exist in the dispute resolution community. By involving experts, the ICC YAAF ensures that the technical aspects of arbitration, such as forensic accounting or engineering assessments, are integrated into the forum’s educational programs. Similarly, the inclusion of academics ensures that the forum remains at the forefront of legal theory and policy development.
Institutional Leadership and the Vision for 2028
Stella Leptourgou, ICC YAAF Co-Chair and Managing Counsel at the Secretariat of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, emphasized the importance of this new group in maintaining the momentum of the forum. In her official statement, Leptourgou welcomed the incoming representatives while acknowledging the work of those who preceded them.
"We warmly welcome our new ICC YAAF Representatives for the 2026-2028 mandate and look forward to working with them to continue growing our global community," Leptourgou stated. "At the same time, we extend our deepest thanks to our outgoing representatives, whose dedication, energy and commitment have helped shape YAAF’s success over the past two years. Their contribution will have a lasting impact and we are excited to see the next cohort build on this strong foundation."
This transition of leadership is not merely administrative; it represents a transfer of institutional knowledge. The outgoing representatives have been instrumental in adapting ICC YAAF events to a hybrid format, ensuring that the forum remained active despite global travel restrictions. The new cohort is expected to build on these digital advancements while re-emphasizing the importance of in-person local engagement.
The 10th ICC YAAF Global Conference and the London Handover
The official handover between the outgoing and incoming representatives is scheduled to take place at the 10th ICC YAAF Global Conference. This landmark event will be held in London on October 16, 2026. The timing and location are significant, as the conference will run alongside the annual arbitration and ADR conference of ICC United Kingdom, providing the new representatives with immediate exposure to some of the most influential figures in the global arbitration community.
The Global Conference serves as a triennial summit where the most pressing issues in international dispute resolution are debated. For the 2026-2028 cohort, this event will serve as their formal induction, where they will participate in strategic planning sessions and begin coordinating their regional agendas. The London handover will likely focus on themes of sustainability in arbitration, the role of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, and the ongoing efforts to increase diversity among tribunal appointments.
Broader Implications for the International Arbitration Landscape
The expansion of the ICC YAAF Regional Representatives has broader implications for the field of international arbitration. Traditionally, the "arbitration elite" has been perceived as a small, relatively homogenous group based primarily in major Western legal hubs like London, Paris, and New York. By deliberately diversifying its young leadership, the ICC is actively working to dismantle this perception and create a more inclusive pipeline for future arbitrators and counsel.
- The "Diversity Dividend": Research has consistently shown that diverse tribunals and legal teams lead to more robust decision-making and higher levels of party satisfaction. By training a diverse cohort of young practitioners, the ICC is ensuring that the future "pool" of arbitrators is more reflective of the global parties who use ICC services.
- Capacity Building in Emerging Markets: The inclusion of representatives from countries like Bhutan, Zambia, and Nepal facilitates the transfer of knowledge to jurisdictions where formal ADR mechanisms may still be developing. This capacity building is essential for creating a predictable legal environment for international investors.
- Linguistic and Cultural Competence: As trade routes shift—exemplified by the growth of South-South trade—the ability to conduct proceedings in multiple languages and with an understanding of local business customs becomes a competitive advantage. The 20 languages spoken by the new cohort represent a significant asset in this regard.
Strengthening the Global Network of 45,000 Practitioners
With over 45,800 members, ICC YAAF is the largest group of its kind in the world. The role of the Regional Representative is to ensure that this massive membership does not become a distant, abstract entity. By organizing local events and providing a point of contact in 87 cities, the representatives make the ICC’s global resources feel personal and accessible.
The 2026-2028 mandate will also likely see an increased focus on ADR methods beyond traditional arbitration. Mediation, expert determination, and dispute boards are becoming increasingly popular as parties seek faster and more cost-effective ways to resolve conflicts. The diverse backgrounds of the new representatives will be crucial in promoting these alternative methods and providing practitioners with the tools needed to navigate them.
As the legal industry continues to face rapid transformation—driven by technological innovation and shifting geopolitical alliances—the ICC YAAF Regional Representatives for the 2026-2028 mandate will stand at the forefront of these changes. Their work over the next two years will not only define their own careers but will also shape the future of international dispute resolution for decades to come. The record-breaking size and diversity of this cohort serve as a testament to the ICC’s belief that the future of global commerce depends on a vibrant, inclusive, and highly skilled community of young professionals.
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