Cairo, Egypt – On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) proudly hosted a pivotal seminar titled “CRCICA, CAM & GZAC at the Crossroads of Settling Financial Disputes.” The event, co-hosted with the esteemed Milan Chamber of Arbitration (CAM) and the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC), brought together leading figures in international arbitration to discuss the evolving landscape of financial dispute resolution.
The seminar commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Ismail Selim, Director of CRCICA, who warmly welcomed distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends. Dr. Selim emphasized CRCICA’s honor in collaborating with CAM and GZAC, highlighting their shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and cooperation in international dispute resolution.
A special welcome was extended to Mr. Stefano Azzali, Director General of CAM, recognized for his leadership in contributing to best arbitration practices in Europe. CAM, operating under the auspices of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, is renowned for its modern rules, efficiency, and neutrality in administering a wide spectrum of commercial and financial disputes. Dr. Selim noted CAM’s focus on flexibility and sustainable dispute resolution as aligning closely with CRCICA’s core values.
Mr. Wang Tianxi, President of the Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, also received a heartfelt welcome, alongside his accompanying delegation. GZAC was acknowledged as a major force in the Asian arbitration landscape, known for its strong institutional framework and international outlook, handling a high volume of complex cross-border cases including online dispute resolution. A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CRCICA and GZAC following the first session, signaling a promising future for enhanced cooperation.
Dr. Selim underscored the critical role of arbitration in today’s rapidly shifting financial landscape, where capital moves swiftly across jurisdictions. He emphasized arbitration’s ability to ensure predictability, enforceability, and neutrality, particularly in sectors like banking, capital markets, and high-stakes cross-border investments.
The seminar was designed to offer practical insights, institutional approaches, and thought-provoking case studies. Speakers from diverse legal, financial, and academic backgrounds, representing Egypt, Italy, China, and the United States, shared their expertise.
CRCICA showcased its distinguished record in administering numerous cases involving banking transactions, investment disputes, shareholder, and securities disputes. Dr. Selim highlighted CRCICA’s capacity and versatility in handling complex financial disputes, attributing this to its modern arbitration rules, neutral venue, experienced arbitrators, and multilingual case management team. The Centre’s broad financial dispute caseload was emphasized, encompassing 17 carefully administered cases, including those with foreign claimants from regions like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating CRCICA’s regional and international reach. The cases varied in arbitral frameworks, with proceedings conducted in both Arabic and English, applying diverse substantive laws from Egyptian to foreign legal frameworks, reaffirming CRCICA as a vibrant and regionally attuned hub for financial arbitration.
The seminar marked a significant moment of global convergence, bringing together three leading arbitration institutions from Africa, Europe, and Asia, signifying a practical alliance built on a shared vision to effectively address the evolving complexities of financial and investment-related disputes across borders.
The first session of the seminar was moderated by Dr. Ismail Selim. Speakers included Mr. Stefano Azzali, who presented “A comparative cost-effectiveness study – Arbitration vs State Courts by CAM and SDA Bocconi School of Management,” and Mr. Wang Tianxi, who discussed “Innovating Arbitration Systems to Build an International Dispute Resolution Center for the Capital and Securities Market.”
The second session was expertly moderated by Dr. Khaled Serry Siam, Assistant Professor at Ain Shams University former Chairman of The Egyptian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of Misr for Central Clearing, Depository and Registry (MCDR). The panel featured Mr. Hossam Omar Abdelkarim, Founder of H. Karim & Associates (Washington DC–Baltimore Area), and Dr. Fatma Salah Riad, Professor of Law at Cairo University and Managing Partner at Riad & Riad Law Firm, who spoke on “The Special Nature of Arbitrating Capital Market Disputes” based on several CRCICA arbitration Proceedings.
CRCICA extended its deepest appreciation to Badran Law Office for their generous sponsorship, which significantly contributed to the success of the event. The seminar also featured simultaneous interpretation in English, Arabic, and Chinese, fostering inclusive and dynamic engagement. Attendees were invited to a networking coffee break following the sessions, providing an opportunity for further discussion and connection.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Selim reiterated CRCICA’s pride in serving as a platform for impactful exchange, bringing together global and local perspectives, and bridging theory with practice. He expressed the hope that the seminar would not only inform but also inspire new partnerships and advance the cause of impartial and effective arbitration in the financial world. The event proved to be an insightful and rewarding afternoon for all participants.
