Dialogue, Innovation, and Connection: "Mediating Amidst Global Fractures: Bridging a Multi-Polar World"
On 27 August, SIMC welcomed key partners and friends to its by-invitation annual gathering at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. The annual SIMC Signature Event is our way of expressing appreciation to those who have journeyed with us over the years and continue to champion the growth of mediation. Held during Singapore Convention Week 2025, under the theme "Mediating Amidst Global Fractures: Bridging a Multi-Polar World", the event brought together more than 200 attendees from 21 countries.
SIMC Chairman, George Lim SC, opened the morning by thanking partners for their unwavering support and collaboration. He reflected on the progress made in strengthening the mediation community and reaffirmed SIMC’s commitment to bridging divides in an increasingly fragmented world. He closed off his session by sharing how Mediation is much like the art of Kintsugi. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with gold, silver or platinum. By embracing the flaws and imperfections arising from the business disputes, parties can create an even stronger relationship by resolving their differences through mediation.
(Left) SIMC's Chairman, George Lim SC warmly welcoming the attendees to the event.
(Top) George Lim SC drew a metaphor between the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi and mediation.
We were honoured to have Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as our Guest of Honour and speaker for the fireside chat. During the session, he shared insights on the shifting global order and how mediation remains vital in fostering dialogue and trust. He also highlighted how Singapore, with its friendly ties across the board, provides a neutral and welcoming space for countries to come together, even when they face difficulties with one another.
The session was moderated by Natalie Y. Morris-Sharma, Senior Director/Senior State Counsel at the International Affairs Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers Singapore. The Q&A session prompted thoughtful questions from attendees. When asked if mediating does work, he shared the success story of the compulsory reconciliation between Timor-Leste and Australia over their long-standing maritime boundary dispute. Professor Koh further emphasized that if the attendees "do not want to take your dispute to arbitration or litigation, please consider conciliation as a viable option, as conciliation and mediation are culturally much more acceptable to many Asians who don't like the litigation process."
Professor Koh concluded with personal anecdotes from his days as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as a diplomat, reminding us of the power of empathy and understanding in resolving disputes.
Professor Tommy Koh and Natalie Y. Morris-Sharma during the fireside chat session.
Capturing the Moment: Specialist Mediators’ Workshop Participants
A group photo was taken with participants from SIMC’s June batch of the Specialist Mediators’ Workshop held in Singapore. This moment marked not only their successful completion of the training but also their entry into SIMC’s growing panel of Specialist Mediators. A highlight video of the training was also screened, offering guests a glimpse of the workshop experience.
Here is the link to the video: Highlights from SIMC's June 2025 Singapore Specialist Mediators’ Workshop.
Showcasing SIMC’s Latest Initiatives
In the closing segment of the event, SIMC’s CEO, Chuan Wee Meng, shared updates on SIMC’s international engagements over the past year. Notable highlights included keynote addresses and conference presentations in China, India, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United States, where SIMC spoke about the growing trends and benefits of mediation in resolving cross-border commercial disputes, and emphasized the importance of signing and ratifying the Singapore Convention on Mediation.
He also unveiled MAIA 2.0 – SIMC’s Mediation AI Assistant – and shared how it has evolved since its launch at SIMC’s 10th Anniversary last year. MAIA is designed to enhance the mediation process by generating deliverables from documents to mediators such as summary, chronology of events, identities of parties and individuals and table of agreed and disputed fact.
MAIA 2.0 now offers expanded deliverables including Constructive Points and Potential Hurdles, Possible Interests, and Potential Options. A live demo of MAIA 2.0 allowed attendees to see the system in action and interact with it. The event’s emcee, Rebecca Chew, Co-Head of China Related Investment Dispute Practice & Head of Medical Law Practice at Rajah & Tann Singapore, encouraged the audience to engage directly with MAIA during the “Ask MAIA Anything” session. Attendees had a glimpse of MAIA’s ability to generate thoughtful and practical responses, highlighting the growing role of technology in supporting mediation.
The event closed with spirited conversations over lunch, as partners reconnected and exchanged ideas. It was a celebration of SIMC's milestones and the unwavering support of our partners which makes our work possible.
We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating this occasion. Your support makes our efforts to promote mediation even more meaningful. A special thanks goes to Rebecca Chew for being such an engaging emcee. SIMC looks forward to another year of advancing mediation and fostering understanding across borders.
Click here to read about SIMC's participation in other events held during the Singapore Convention Week.
Wee Meng presenting MAIA 2.0 and the event's emcee Rebecca Chew, engaging the attendees to send in their questions during the live demo session.
SIMC's Board Members and staff.
