Pinsent Masons and Queen Mary University London’s Future of Energy Arbitration Survey – Middle East Launch

The results of the recent Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) global survey conducted in partnership with Pinsent Masons on the ‘Future of International Energy Arbitration’ will be unveiled. This is the first survey by QMUL to focus on the energy sector in nearly 10 years and could not be more timely given the pivot we are seeing from fossil fuel to renewable / cleaner energy and the current geopolitical environment. The survey examines two main themes which have come into sharp focus as a result of the present volatility of the international energy markets: the prevailing drivers of disputes in the short to medium term which have developed over the last 12 months, and how international arbitration can adapt to this environment to best serve the needs of the energy sector.

Anticipating and Mitigating ESG-Related Risks and Disputes

Climate change and sustainability are the defining issues of this decade. The commercial and reputational costs of “getting ESG wrong” are high, but as companies have learned to address ESG requirements in a coordinated way, ESG claimants have also coordinated their approach, and the range of defendants, subjects of disputes and claimants continue to diversify. In the lead up to COP28 and in the UAE’s “Year of Sustainability”, this session will delve into the vast array of potential sustainability disputes, including climate change litigation, energy transition, investor-state matters, as well as increased consumer and regulatory scrutiny arising from allegations of “greenwashing”.

Decoding AI & What It Means

AI has caught fire to become the hottest item on the agendas of every tech firm. And while we’re still only scratching the surface, it is set to disrupt the way industries and businesses work and raises important questions for society, the economy, and governance. Where, then, does AI go from here? Should we fear these advancements? Can we trust AI? How can it be done right? What is at stake as it becomes more powerful? How will humans stack up against these technologies? And how must legislation keep up? This session aims to demystify this complex topic giving a history of AI and what the future holds.

Web3: Legal Sector Implications and Opportunities

Estimated to boost global GDP by 1.76 trillion dollars over the next 10 years, Web3 technologies such as NFTs, digital assets, DAOs, and metaverses and the AI that will power them are rapidly gaining mainstream attention. Whilst innovative, these technologies are also disruptive and challenge the traditional assumptions of how legal systems operate, making it difficult to apply existing legal frameworks for drafting contracts, filing documents, storing records and establishing trademarks. This session will look at real-world examples and current trends across the legal landscape of Web3 and how it may be shaped in the future.

AML / CFT and sanctions

AML/CFT and sanctions regulations are instrumental in preventing, detecting, and combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and other crime. The 2009 financial crisis unearthed a myriad of problematic activity and regulatory gaps, which led to a significant increase in government regulation for banks and other financial institutions. 2009 was also (perhaps not coincidentally) the year that Bitcoin, the first decentralised cryptocurrency, made its debut. The increased regulatory environment for traditional banks coupled with the rapid growth of non-traditional (and largely unregulated) digital currencies over the past decade have created the perfect storm for an ever-growing and more elusive corridor of illicit funds, terrorist financing, and money-laundering.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

From flying cars and sustainable cities, to transformative rail and airport projects, and all the overstretched supply chains in between…what's really going on in the UAE's construction, infrastructure and transport sectors? RESOLVE will explore the Emirates’ current priorities and insights into a sustainable future ahead.