Conference & Training Workshops · Nassau, Bahamas
The premier gathering of arbitrators, government officials, investors and legal leaders shaping the future of cross-border dispute resolution across the Caribbean, the Americas and Africa.
Featuring Meg Kinnear, former Secretary-General of ICSID; Justice Vasheist Kokaram, Court of Appeal of The Bahamas; and Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, Caribbean Court of Justice.
22 – 26 June 2026
Margaritaville Beach Resort · Nassau, Bahamas
Secure My Place →Registration Closes Thursday, 19 June 2026 at 5:00 PM EST · Limited Seats
The Mid-Atlantic Caribbean Alternative Dispute Institute (MACADRI) is organizing a conference in Nassau, Bahamas from 22 – 26 June 2026 with the support of the Government of The Bahamas and the assistance of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The conference will be comprised of keynote addresses and panels, followed by a one-day training workshop on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 focusing on investor-state dispute resolution ("ISDS"). On Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June 2026, the Judiciary, led by Justice Vasheist Kokaram of the Court of Appeal, will conduct mediation training workshops as part of the Supreme Court's pilot mediation programme, launching next autumn.
The conference will bring together high-level government officials as well as practitioners from The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Africa to discuss the potential for The Bahamas to become a hub for foreign investment, to promote Afro-Caribbean trade and foster a more integrated Africa-Caribbean economic dialogue.
The workshop aims to explore the theory and practice of ISDS by raising awareness about ICSID and building on the experience of African and Caribbean stakeholders. Both the conference and workshop are intended to increase awareness amongst government officials and private sector lawyers about international investment arbitration and the prevention and mitigation of disputes.
This is a must-attend event for the business community, policy and decision makers on ADR and legal professionals interested in current legal frameworks, debates and developments in international arbitration in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond.
Senator Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald KC
Minister of Economic Affairs. A senior Bahamian government leader bringing policy perspective on The Bahamas International Commercial Court as a regional neutral hub, cross-border investment, and dispute prevention.
Meg Kinnear
LKDR LLC · Former Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), World Bank Group. A leading global authority on investor-state arbitration, bringing decades of experience shaping international dispute resolution frameworks worldwide.
Justice Vasheist Kokaram
Justice of the Court of Appeal of The Bahamas. "Building a Culture of Mediation — UN SDG 16 and the role of mediation in building a more resilient and peaceful society." Leading the Judiciary's mediation training workshops under the Supreme Court's pilot mediation programme.
Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji
Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice. A distinguished jurist bringing authoritative perspective on international commercial courts and the future of dispute resolution across the Caribbean region.
Ella Rosenberg
Senior Legal Counsel at ICSID, specializing in international investment arbitration and investor-state dispute resolution. She has extensive experience managing complex arbitration cases and contributing to the development of global arbitration rules.
Carlos Jose Valderrama
Independent Counsel specializing in the prevention and resolution of international disputes. Featured speaker on the Grand Bahama Port Authority partial award and the Peruvian Model for dispute prevention.
Join Senator Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald KC, Meg Kinnear, Justice Vasheist Kokaram, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and senior practitioners from across the Caribbean, the Americas and Africa in Nassau.
Register Before 19 June →A clearer, card-based programme designed for faster scanning on desktop and mobile. Each day is separated by purpose: two conference days, one ICSID executive training workshop, and two mediation training workshops.
Monday, 22 June 2026 — Conference Day One
Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) in The Bahamas, the Americas, Africa and Beyond
Opening prayers · National Anthem · The Rt Hon. Philip Edward Davis KC, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas · Keynote: Meg Kinnear, LKDR LLC, former Secretary-General of ICSID.
15 minutes.
Panel 1: Fireside chat on the economic paths of Africa and the Caribbean: untold stories of challenges and prospects. Moderator: Barry N. Griffin. Interviewer: Werner Gruner. Interviewees include Andrew Debalen, Jose Luis Sabion, John Rolle and Professor Dr Rupert Pinder.
Panel 2: Investor-State Dispute Resolution: common issues, lessons learned and overlap in the Caribbean and Africa. Moderator: High Chief Professor Ike Ehribe. Speakers include Professor Githu Muigai, Chief Christopher Bayo Ojo, SAN, Professor Rose Rameau and Dr. Ucheora Onwuamaegbu.
1 hour 30 minutes.
Exploring commercial justice, the Singapore International Commercial Court model, and innovations in cross-border disputes. Moderator: Dancia Penn KC. Speakers include Senator Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald KC, Adriana Uson, Khalil Parker, Sir Brian Moree and Ryan Sands.
Moderator: High Chief Professor Ike Ehribe. Speakers include Professor Githu Muigai and Carlos Jose Valderrama.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026 — Conference Day Two
Mediation, nation building, international commercial courts and The Bahamas as the new neutral
Welcome remarks · Opening remarks by Attorney General Senator the Hon. Wayne Munroe · Keynote: Justice Vasheist Kokaram, Justice of the Court of Appeal of The Bahamas: “Building a Culture of Mediation – UN SDG 16 and the role of mediation in building a more resilient and peaceful society.”
15 minutes.
The role of the Singapore Convention. Moderator: Professor Rose Rameau. Speakers: Adriana Uson, Director & Head (Americas) at SIAC, and Dr Judith Kneiper, Legal Officer at UNCITRAL Secretariat Vienna.
How institutions, culture, law, people and the private sector can build stronger communities, resolve family and commercial disputes, reduce violence and generate economic activity. Moderator: Rubie Nottage (Ret.J). Speakers include Meg Kinnear, Madeline Kimei, George Henry and Caryl Lashley.
Programme document notes lunch break before the afternoon sessions.
Exploring The Bahamas International Commercial Court as a regional neutral hub for commercial justice. Keynote: Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice: “No Commerce Without Peace.”
An in-depth discussion with Carlos Jose Valderrama on prevention and resolution of international disputes, and how The Bahamas and other jurisdictions could learn from Peru’s dispute prevention platform. Speakers include Senator Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald KC and Professor Githu Muigai.
15 minutes.
Mediation and the way forward, including adopting a conference resolution to sign the Singapore Convention and the mediation pledge. Speaker: Santhaan Krishnan, former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Conference closing remarks.
Wednesday, 24 June 2026 — ICSID Executive Training Workshop
Workshop: Introduction to ICSID
An introductory session covering ICSID, investor-state dispute settlement and ICSID jurisdiction.
15 minutes.
A deeper working session on ICSID jurisdiction and procedural considerations.
1 hour.
Focused procedural training for government officials, counsel and stakeholders.
Thursday, 25 June 2026 — Pilot Training Programme for Mediators
Workshop: Mediation Refresher · Part of the Supreme Court's pilot mediation programme
15 minutes.
Practical guidance on what to expect from lawyers and how to reframe legal issues around parties’ needs and interests.
1 hour.
Friday, 26 June 2026 — Mediation Workshop for the Judiciary
Workshop: Introduction to Judicial Settlement Conferencing (JSC)
JSC process map; stages of the JSC; table-setting issues including pre-JSC meetings, settlement briefs and screening; the value of opening remarks and process control; developing and determining your approach to the process; introduction to the Six-Step Process.
15 minutes.
Role play on opening statements, then exploration of JSC styles, deployment, the facilitative model, evaluative risks, shuttle diplomacy versus joint sessions, and caucus use.
Programme document notes lunch break before the afternoon sessions.
After the simulated exercise, the group will tabulate and explain critical problem-solving techniques and closure.
Registration closes Thursday, 19 June 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.
Review the programme, then secure your place for the conference and workshops.
Untold Stories of Challenges & Prospects.
Common issues, lessons learned and overlap in the Caribbean and Africa · Dispute resolution in the Caribbean.
The impact of the Singapore International Commercial Court on commerce, investment, and innovations in cross-border disputes.
Examining the partial award in an arbitration between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
How institutions, culture, law, people and the private sector can build stronger communities — creating peace, reducing crime and violence while generating economic activity.
Discussion with the architect of the Peruvian Model and how The Bahamas and other jurisdictions could learn from Peru's dispute prevention platform.
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Introduction to ICSID — exploring the theory and practice of ISDS across three sessions: Introduction to ICSID and ISDS, ICSID Jurisdiction, and ICSID Procedure. Raising awareness about ICSID and building on the experience of African and Caribbean stakeholders.
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Mediation Refresher — the basics of the mediation process, dealing with lawyers and the legal process, the fundamentals for a successful mediation, role play, and tips and traps for court-connected mediation. Part of the Supreme Court's pilot mediation programme.
Friday, 26 June 2026
Introduction to Judicial Settlement Conferencing (JSC) — led by Justice Vasheist Kokaram of the Court of Appeal. The JSC process map, the Six-Step Process, opening statements, exploration of needs and interests, and group role play.
Government Officials & Policymakers
Trade & Investment Authorities
Arbitration & Mediation Professionals
The Judiciary & Court-Connected Mediators
Corporate Counsel & Legal Practitioners
Business Leaders in Cross‑Border Investment
Secure your seat at the premier ISDS conference connecting The Bahamas, the Americas, Africa and beyond.
Registration Closes Thursday, 19 June 2026 at 5:00 PM EST · Space is Limited
Complete Registration →What happens next: after submitting the registration form, delegates should receive confirmation and follow-up details from the organisers.
