Kingdom of Bahrain to host 2013 Association of International Petroleum Negotiators Oil and Gas Conference

The event's 450 delegates will hear from more than 30 of the world's leading experts, arbitrators and counsel from international energy organizations, companies, governments and law firms who will discuss the full range of state and commercial issues relating to disputes in the oil and gas industry. Topics will include boundary disputes, state investment, infrastructure and commercial disputes, along with the impact of Shari'ah Law in Middle East energy disputes.

The BCDR-AAA's Chief Registrar and Assistant CEO for Arbitration, Ahmed Husain said: "The sponsorship of this conference falls in line with the BCDR-AAA's strategy to promote the Kingdom of Bahrain as a center for alternative dispute resolution solutions in the region."

Mr. Husain, who is also the conference co-chairman added: "The oil and gas industry is major player in the economies of the Gulf region and there is a growing interest in using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes to manage disputes that inevitably arise from commercial contracts. According to the World Bank, oil and gas disputes represent 28% of the total number of ADR cases registered in 2012 through its disputes management arm, the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and this number is set to rise in 2013.

Tim Martin, the conference co-chairman and the former president of the AIPN said: "This year's conference will focus on current and emerging issues in oil and gas disputes both globally and in the MENA region."

The AIPN is the leading professional organization of commercial negotiators and energy lawyers in the international petroleum industry. The AIPN develops petroleum model contracts that are widely used throughout the industry, and provides educational seminars and conferences around the world.

The BCDR-AAA is a one-stop-shop for ADR and is a major pillar to Bahrain's status as a world-class business and investment environment. Since its launch on January 2010, the Chamber has provided international, regional and domestic commercial and governmental users contracting in the Gulf and beyond, with a purpose-built solution for the rapid, effective and certain resolution of commercial disputes.