Meetings and Visits

South Africa

The PCA has now established a facility in South Africa to facilitate dispute resolution on the African continent. The agreement ensures that PCA administered proceedings conducted in South Africa will benefit from conditions similar to those provided for under the PCA’s agreement with the Dutch government. According to a number of dispute resolution specialists in the region, this is a welcome development: Greg Nott, counsel at LeBoeuf Lamb Green & MacRae LLP in Johannesburg believes this is important for the continent both logistically and symbolically. Michael Kuper SC, chairman of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa, says Africa is lacking the presence of international arbitral institutions: "The agreement will bring the Permanent Court of Arbitration into the immediate reach of African business and investment communities which sorely need an effective dispute resolution mechanism". More information on the agreement may be found on the official website of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs.

Algeria and the Gulf

The PCA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Tjaco van den Hout, visited Algeria in November 2006. In Algiers, Mr. van den Hout met with senior members of government, including, in particular, the Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Bedjaoui. The Secretary-General delivered two lectures on the role of arbitration in the resolution of international disputes, referring to past and present cases before arbitral tribunals under PCA auspices. 

During December, the Secretary-General visited Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In Bahrain he was received by HRH the Crown Prince and Commander in Chief, Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad al Khalifa. The Crown Prince and the Secretary-General discussed the role of the PCA in resolving international disputes and the possibility of Bahrain’s membership in the PCA. The Secretary-General also met with senior members of the government. He gave a lecture at the University of Bahrain on inter-state dispute resolution and international arbitration.

In Saudi Arabia, the Secretary-General was introduced to His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

He also met with senior members of government, including, in particular, the Foreign Minister, HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal. The Secretary-General gave a lecture at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies. 

The Secretary-General was received in Yemen by senior members of government, including the Minister for Legal Affairs and the Minister of Justice. Several points of mutual interest were discussed, including the possibility of Yemen’s membership in the PCA. The Secretary-General also delivered a lecture at the University of Sana’a.