The International Arbitration Conference, the flagship event of AAW, will be held on Monday, 12 October 2026 at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Melbourne. 

Organised and hosted by the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) and co-hosted by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Australia), the theme of this year’s Conference is “Arbitration Under Pressure: Rising to the Challenge.” 

The full-day program features:

• A keynote address from Niuscha Bassiri, Co-Founder of ArbBoutique, Brussels, on “Why the Best Arbitrators Make Uncomfortable Decisions”
• Seven stimulating sessions with eminent speakers from around the globe, including:
  • A turbulent tour around the world
  • Arbitrating defence sector disputes: opportunities, limits and lessons
  • Pressure-testing dispute resolution processes: better clauses, better outcomes
  • Process under pressure: procedural resilience and reinforcing trust
  • Fast and furious, yet fair: striking the balance in emergency and expedited arbitration
  • Quit While We’re Ahead? ISDS treaty reform in the shadow of Australian arbitral successes
  • Arbitration under pressure: reflections across the generations

You can explore the full IA Conference Program and register here.  CPD points are available, subject to eligibility, and discounts are available for ACICA and Ciarb Members.  

Returning to Melbourne for the first time since 2022, AAW 2026 features 65+ events across the week, from thought-provoking sessions with global leaders to practical workshops and networking events that showcase Australia as a premier venue for international dispute resolution.