Riyadh, December 8, 2021, SPA -- The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague with the aim of coordinating efforts between the two sides in activating arbitration and mediation, as well as joint endeavors to develop the practices of dispute resolution alternatives in the region in a bid to further enhance their partnership with leading international institutions in the dispute resolution alternatives. SCCA CEO Dr. Hamed Merah and PCA Secretary General Hugo Hans Siblesz represented the two sides in the signing ceremony. Under the agreement, both sides will cooperate in enhancing practices of arbitration and mediation among other dispute resolution alternatives, in addition to exchanging information, and holding specialized conferences, events activities, and student arbitration competitions. Dr. Merah said: “The center is keen on diversifying the base of its international partners in dispute resolution alternatives, where the Permanent Court of Arbitration is one of the most prestigious international institutions with deep-rooted values in the field, and we are confident that this cooperation will positively reflect on the international status and vision of the center that aim at turning it to the preferred arbitration destination in the region by 2030.” He noted that following the signing of this agreement, the center joins a list of the most important international arbitration centers in the world, which all cooperate with PCA with the aim of facilitating the procedures of dispute resolution through PCA. For his part, Siblesz said: “The court is happy about this cooperation with Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, which is based on offering the court’s services to all in all times from all corners of the world, and we look forward to a fruitful and long standing cooperation with the center under the umbrella of the signed agreement.” --SPA 14:16 LOCAL TIME 11:16 GMT 0009 www.spa.gov.sa/w1661952