Riyadh: Under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji inaugurated the second Ministry of Foreign Affairs Forum on World Law Day today at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the forum, organized in collaboration with the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), convenes legal scholars, diplomats, and industry leaders to discuss current international legal developments and regional challenges. In his keynote address, Elkhereiji emphasized the importance of the rule of law in guiding international relations and pointed out that this edition of the forum focuses on crucial legal issues, including the implications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Elkhereiji further mentioned that the forum's agenda includes a focus on AI governance, aligning with Saudi Arabia's designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence and its strategic integration under Saudi Vision 2030. SCCA Chairman Dr. Walid Abanumay highlighted the importance of robust dispute resolution mechanisms like arbitration and mediation, noting that swift and reliable adjudication frameworks are vital for building investor confidence, protecting commercial rights, and reinforcing the Kingdom's status as an international business hub.
The event features panel sessions examining legal frameworks governing maritime chokepoints, emerging AI legislation, legal research methodology, and workforce readiness for legal practitioners through practical training and advocacy competitions.