On June 26, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) approved the final draft of the Convention on the Enforcement of International Settlement Agreements and its associated Model Law. This resolution is now known as “The Singapore Mediation Convention.” Its approval follows three years of intense deliberation among the 85 member states and 35 international governmental and nongovernmental entities comprising the commission. The convention takes effect once three member states ratify it.

Until now, there was no procedure for the direct enforcement of mediated settlements. This is a problem given the increasingly global economy. The Singapore Convention aims to change that. If successful, the Singapore Convention will have a significant positive affect on the recognition and enforceability of international controversies which have been settled through mediations.  It is modeled roughly on the New York Arbitration Convention, which has been quite successful.

The Earlier New York Convention on Arbitration