ICDS to Participate in Pivotal Energy Disputes Conference in London
The International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) will participate in the 8th Annual conference on Energy Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in the Middle East and Africa, taking place on June 12–13, 2025, at the prestigious London offices of Herbert Smith Freehills, a global leader in energy law and dispute resolution.
This high-level event comes at a pivotal moment for the global economy, as the world witnesses an accelerated transition toward renewable energy and green economies, while disputes surrounding energy resources continue to play a central role in geopolitical and economic tensions—particularly across the Middle East and Africa, two regions of strategic importance in global energy markets.
Sponsored by major international firms, the conference will convene a distinguished group of energy experts, international legal professionals, corporate legal advisors, government representatives, and global investors, providing a platform to discuss key trends, risks, and opportunities shaping the future of energy and dispute resolution in emerging and developed markets.
Strategic Dialogue on Energy, Law, and Sustainability
The agenda includes a series of panel discussions addressing critical and timely topics, such as:
- Clean Energy: The global shift toward renewables and its impact on nature and frequency of energy-related disputes.
- Regulatory Reforms and Investment Laws: How changing legal frameworks and tariffs affect foreign investment and dispute risk.
- Resource Nationalism and Sovereign Immunity: The rising role of state-owned enterprises and investor protections.
- Dispute Resolution in Africa: Efforts to harmonize arbitration practices and establish a unified African Energy Arbitration Protocol.
- North Africa – West to East: Exploring opportunities and addressing region-specific challenges in energy development.
- Energy and Human Rights: Examining the growing intersection between energy projects and human rights considerations.
ICDS’s Role and Perspective
The participation of the International Center for Development Studies reflects its commitment to advancing dialogue on sustainable development, economic conflict resolution, and policy strategy in developing countries. The center’s involvement also reinforces its strategic mission to offer in-depth analysis and engage with global stakeholders on critical issues shaping the future of energy and investment.
The conference is expected to attract a prominent delegation of senior legal counsel, regulators, energy and infrastructure professionals, and global investors, reinforcing its reputation as a key event in the international arbitration and energy calendar.
A Global Landscape of Energy Tensions
Energy continues to be at the heart of international disputes, both as a strategic asset and a driver of geopolitical alignments. Against this backdrop, conferences like this provide a crucial forum for fostering legal clarity, promoting investment security, and building more resilient frameworks for cooperation, especially in volatile yet resource-rich regions like the Middle East and Africa.
