Mediation Milestone in Latin America: Highlights from SIMC’s Specialist Mediators’ Workshop in Costa Rica

November 25, 2024

group photo — Group photo with the 24 participants and trainers.

Exciting developments are underway for mediation in Latin America! On 7-8 November 2024, the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) conducted a transformative Specialist Mediators’ Workshop in Costa Rica. This event brought together 24 senior professionals from across the LATAM region and beyond, representing a diverse range of countries including Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, the Netherlands, and the USA.

(From top left, clockwise) Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC, George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC, Siddharth Jha, Counsel (International Partnerships) at SIMC, Kevin Kwek, SIMC Specialist Mediator and Partner at Kennedys Singapore.

The workshop was facilitated by an exceptional panel of trainers:

George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC
Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC
Siddharth Jha, Counsel (International Partnerships) at SIMC
Kevin Kwek, SIMC Specialist Mediator and Partner at Kennedys Singapore

This year’s workshop was made possible with the remarkable support of Andrea Hulbert, a LATAM Specialist Mediator from the 2023 workshop in Costa Rica. Andrea played a pivotal role in assembling a fantastic group of participants, reflecting the growing interest and commitment to mediation in the region.

andrea 2

George Lim SC presenting Andrea Hulbert a gift on behalf of SIMC.

A Milestone for Costa Rica

The workshop coincided with Costa Rica’s signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, marking a significant step toward its ratification. Once ratified, Costa Rica will officially become a party to this international treaty, enabling cross-border commercial mediation to thrive across Latin America.

On 5 November 2024, SIMC representatives George Lim, Chuan Wee Meng, and Siddharth Jha had the privilege of meeting Manuel Morales Díaz, a Congressman and Member of Parliament instrumental in supporting Costa Rica’s signing of the Singapore Convention. During the discussions, they explored the next steps toward ratification, including submitting the instrument to the United Nations, fostering mediation development, and positioning Costa Rica as a hub for mediation in Latin America. Plans for training mediators and establishing a robust mediation center were also part of the dialogue.

Participants at the 2-Day Costa Rica Specialist Mediators' Workshop.

Diverse Regional Representation

The participation in the workshop spanned a wide geographical range, with professionals hailing from:

Costa Rica
Chile
Mexico
Ecuador
Venezuela
Peru
Panama
Guatemala
The Netherlands
The United States

Growing Momentum in Latin America

At SIMC, we are thrilled to witness the remarkable growth of mediation across LATAM. Mediation continues to prove invaluable for businesses seeking efficient, effective dispute resolution. With Costa Rica taking bold steps toward institutionalizing mediation and the outstanding contribution of the region’s professionals, the future of cross-border mediation in Latin America looks incredibly promising.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building partnerships and empowering mediators across the globe!

Fun group shot — Congratulations to the 24 Costa Rica Specialist Mediators' Workshop participants!

Recognizing New Specialist Mediators

Following the workshop, 24 accomplished professionals were empaneled as SIMC Specialist Mediators, further strengthening the region’s mediation ecosystem. The empaneled mediators are: