The international relevance of this initiative is underscored by the inclusion of the congress in the official programme of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), granting Macau increased visibility within the global legal community.
Over the course of a week, lawyers, academics, and experts from across the Lusophone world and China will discuss the future of international arbitration through plenary sessions, roundtables, and networking activities. The programme will address key topics such as “Challenges in Multijurisdictional Disputes”, “Arbitration and the Belt and Road Initiative”, “Diversity and Inclusion”, and “Macau as a Global Platform”, reflecting emerging trends in transnational dispute resolution.
The event will begin on 15 October with an opening ceremony at the Albergue of the Holy House of Mercy of Macau, followed by a welcome reception. The following day will be dedicated to Innovation, featuring discussions on statistical data, multijurisdictionality, and the launch of the Lusophone Arbitration Course.
On 17 October, the focus will shift to Sustainability, with panels on energy disputes and Macau’s role as a global platform, culminating with the Sub-40 Essay Awards Ceremony, the ALAM General Assembly, and a gala dinner.
On 18 October, participants will enjoy a free day to explore Macau, while from 19 to 21 October, a regional extension is planned to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, further strengthening Sino-Lusophone legal cooperation.
The congress is supported by several distinguished entities, including the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macau), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (UNCITRAL), Portuguese Arbitration Association (APA), Brazilian Arbitration Committee (CBar), renowned arbitration centers such as National Directorate for Extrajudicial Dispute Resolution – DNREL (Angola), Arbitration Center of the Industrial Association of Angola (CAAIA), Chamber of Business Mediation and Arbitration – Brazil (CAMARB), Brazilian Center for Mediation and Arbitration (CBMA), Center for Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation of Mozambique (CACM), Arbitration Center of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Services of São Tomé and Príncipe (CA-CCIAS); Guangdong Lawyers Association, Qinhai Belt and Road Legal Services Federation; embassies and consulates of Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste, the Bar Associations of Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe, media partners Arbitration Channel and Plataforma, and cultural partner Rui Cunha Foundation.
With a programme that combines academic reflection, international cooperation, and cultural exchange, the congress aims to establish itself as a landmark event in Sino-Lusophone arbitration. Registrations open in November at www.alam.org.mo/congress2026.
