The UNIDROIT Middle East and North Africa Transnational Law Academic Symposium, held on 3–4 February 2026 at UNIDROIT's Headquarters in Rome, aimed to explore the development of dedicated activities in the MENA region. The event focused on promoting economic and social development, trade and investment, peace and prosperity, and fostering mutual understanding among MENA countries and their legal systems.
The symposium featured thematic sessions on UNIDROIT instruments relevant to the MENA region, including contracts, trade and investment, access to credit, digital assets, commercial arbitration, cultural property, and legal education. These sessions encouraged comparative and transnational dialogue among participants.
Approximately 30 leading academics and practitioners from across the MENA region attended the event, engaging in interactive workshops, keynote speeches, presentations, and roundtable discussions. The symposium also addressed future work and project development, discussing potential initiatives such as academic studies, collaborative teaching and research projects, and the creation of best practices and foundational resources.
The event was particularly beneficial for legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in transnational commercial and investment law, offering a platform to exchange expertise and perspectives on legal developments pertinent to the MENA region.
Speakers(6)
Ignacio Tirado
Secretary-General at UNIDROIT
Professor Tirado serves as the Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, overseeing the organization's initiatives in harmonizing international private law.
Jeffrey Wool
Senior Academic Fellow at UNIDROIT
Professor Wool is a Senior Academic Fellow at UNIDROIT and leads projects on transnational commercial law, with a focus on the Cape Town Convention.
Malik R. Dahlan
Professor of International Law and Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London
Professor Dahlan is a leading scholar in international law and public policy, specializing in Middle Eastern legal systems and transnational law.
Professor Malik R. Dahlan
Professor of International Law and Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London
Professor Dahlan is a renowned expert in international law and public policy, focusing on Middle Eastern legal systems and transnational law.
Professor Stéphane Braconnier
Professor of Public Law at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University
Professor Braconnier specializes in public law and has extensive experience in comparative legal studies, particularly concerning European and Middle Eastern legal frameworks.
Stéphane Braconnier
Professor of Public Law at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University
Professor Braconnier is an expert in public law, focusing on administrative law and public contracts, with extensive publications in these areas.
Event Details
- Date
- February 3-4, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇮🇹 Rome, Italy
- UNIDROIT Headquarters
- Audience
- Legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in transnational commercial and investment law.
- Attendees
- Approximately 30 participants