Meet the VIAC Ambassadors:

"I look forward to being a VIAC Ambassador in Albania and Kosovo. This is an excellent opportunity to promote arbitration in this region."

"I believe in the outstanding opportunities of VIAC in arbitration and mediation and will be happy to promote VIAC in the business communities of Albania and Kosovo."

Kamalia is a Professor of Law in Paris (Paris XII Creteil University). She is a member of the Paris Bar, and a partner at Barbier Mehtiyeva Law. Kamalia’s practice focuses on international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and international enforcement procedures. Kamalia also sits as an arbitrator. She is the co-founder and co-President, as well as a board member of the Turkic Arbitration Association (TAA), effective 29 September 2023.

"The only way we can ensure adequate protection of foreign investment and rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina is by providing alternative to the (still) inefficient judiciary system. So we need to start changing the mind-set and break all misconceptions related to arbitration among business and legal community of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to effectively achieve that presented alternative needs to have sufficient credibility, be neutral, not too expensive and not too "foreign". VIAC and Vienna seem to meet all those criteria more than any other institution in the region."

"I’m very honoured and thrilled with my recent appointment as a VIAC Ambassador for Brazil. Brazil and Austria historically enjoy a special relationship started exactly 200 years ago by Maria Leopoldina of Austria, the first Empress of Brazil as an independent country. In the last decade, Austria has become one of the main hubs for Brazilian multinationals in Europe and, on the other hand, Austrian companies have been consistently increasing their investments in the largest economy in Latin America. In this context, VIAC has a strategic and very important role as a leading international chamber of arbitration aimed to promote an even more integrated arbitral community composed of highly regarded Brazilian and Austrian institutions, practitioners, arbitrators and users."

“My passion for international arbitration convinced me to become an ambassador of VIAC. I believe that the balance between high quality of service, clear and flexible arbitration rules and reasonable costs is what makes VIAC one of the most appropriate dispute resolution options for jurisdictions in Southeastern Europe. I am aware of the great opportunities offered by VIAC events not only to acquire valuable knowledge, but also to meet a lot of experienced and talented arbitration and ADR practitioners and feel the organization’s spirit”.

„In the absence of suitable local alternatives, VIAC undoubtedly remains the natural choice for substantial regional arbitrations and deserves to be promoted as such. As an ambassador, I would like to contribute to that and to the advancement of arbitration in this region in general.“

"My motivation for taking on this role stems from a deep interest in international arbitration and the unique role VIAC plays in resolving cross-border disputes in the CEE region. VIAC is highly respected for its efficiency neutrality, and accessibility making it a key institution in the regional arbitration landscape. In the Czech Republic, I see tremendous potential for the growth of arbitration as a preferred method for dispute resolution. With the increasing complexity of international transactions, arbitration offers flexibility, confidentiality, trustworthiness and expertise – crucial factors in today’s globalized business environment."

"I am very honored to be selected as a VIAC ambassador for Croatia. VIAC CAN is a wonderful initiative by one of the premier arbitral institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. It is yet another example of how VIAC is actively taking note of the parties' needs, and continually improving its service. Establishing such a network means that VIAC's cutting edge work in administering arbitration & ADR proceedings will be even more readily available to clients, practitioners, and arbitrators in Croatia and the region. I look forward to contributing to these efforts."

“International Arbitration is a very demanding area of practice, requiring the combination of different competencies as well as continuous research, training and development. The dynamics and initiatives of VIAC clearly place it in the core of the industry.”

"I am honoured and thrilled to become the VIAC Ambassador for Georgia. This is a great opportunity to introduce VIAC and its innovative approaches, efficient and cost-effective management of disputes to Georgia and the entire Caucasus region. VIAC CAN is a great initiative and opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and promote arbitration in the Caucasus region."

“It is a great pleasure and honour to be able to serve as one of the VIAC Ambassadors. The VIAC Community Ambassador Network is an important and exciting new project, which brings together the experience and expertise of many different dispute resolution experts from all over Europe. I very much look forward to working with the VIAC CAN team in Vienna in promoting VIAC arbitration in Germany and other countries in CEE and SEE.”

"I am excited to be VIAC’s ambassador for Luxembourg and Greece at a time of significant challenges for the EU and in particular for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The VIAC is a major international arbitration institution with a stellar reputation for the efficient handling of disputes. It can claim a bigger role in this filed as the CEE and SEE countries will continue to come closer together in the current shifting geopolitical context. I look forward to working together with VIAC and my fellow VIAC ambassadors to help strengthen VIAC's position as a European arbitration hub."

"Creating and preserving value by resolving disputes. Becoming a VIAC Community Ambassador gives me the opportunity to foster arbitration and ADR in the CEE region and especially in Hungary under the umbrella of an institution with the profound knowledge required to support the smooth resolution of disputes in the region. As an avid advocate of ADR, I am honoured to promote the one-stop-shop model of dispute resolution developed by VIAC which makes it one of the best choices for resolving business disputes in the region."

"As a VIAC Community Ambassador, my aim is to promote VIAC as a neutral and viable alternative to other western European arbitral institutions, particularly to clients in the CEE region, with a focus on Hungary. I am proud to be associated with VIAC, which is recognized for its highly efficient and experienced team of arbitrators, innovative use of technology to streamline the arbitration process, predictable fee schedule and overall value for money that it offers to clients."

VIAC has rightfully earned its place as one of the most credible institutions across the world. The recent past has witnessed its growing presence in Asia. India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and enjoys a robust economic relationship with Central and Eastern Europe. As India tries to embrace institutional arbitration as the norm rather than an exception, there could not have been a better time for VIAC to spread its footprint into the region. It is my privilege to be appointed as India’s Ambassador. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Board and look forward to creating good synergies between VIAC and the arbitration eco-system of India.

“I have accepted the appointment as a VIAC Ambassador with much enthusiasm, as I see VIAC as a logical choice for trade partners from Central Asia and Europe. With bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and the EU surpassing 40 billion euros annually, and sectors like energy, logistics, and infrastructure driving these commercial ties, VIAC offers a neutral, expert forum for resolving cross-border disputes. Its specialization in international cases, along with its transparency and cost-efficiency, makes it well-suited for handling the growing volume of trade-related issues between these regions.”

"As a VIAC Ambassador, I'm drawn to VIAC as the central arbitration hub in CEE, amid the region's growing demand. VIAC delivers a sophisticated service akin to global institutions, tailored to regional needs. I am excited to be affiliated with VIAC, known for its innovative technology, transparent fee structure, and the overall value it provides to clients from the CEE region. My objective is to advocate for VIAC as a neutral, cost-effective, and reliable option in dispute resolution, especially for clients in the CEE region, with a particular emphasis on Kosovo.”

“I believe that Vienna, and more specifically VIAC, is the natural dispute resolution hub for the so-called Western Balkan 6 countries, particularly for Kosovo. Economic indicators concerning business-making in Kosovo and more broadly the region are generally improving year-by-year. The demand for sophisticated, reliable dispute resolution services is growing as a corollary, particularly in a cross-border context. This demand is only seldomly best served by the domestic court system. I think VIAC as a dispute resolution service provider is extremely well-placed to play an important role in this overall situation, and I am very happy to contribute to this process.”

"To be a VIAC Ambassador is an opportunity to expose our professional community to one of Europe's most respected arbitration institutions and, simultaneously, introduce to Austrian colleagues our fantastic region. We cannot be solely focused on ourselves and our local interests. Being part of the VIAC Ambassadors Network is a chance to bring a diversity of cultures and approaches to dispute resolution to my country; it is an opportunity to promote arbitration in Central Asia through education, training, collaborative research, academic projects, and publications."

"I am thrilled to join VIAC’s Ambassadors’ community – a diverse, talented and experienced Arbitration experts’ group in the region. I strongly believe that by sharing and combining our experience with the fellow Ambassadors we will be able to succeed in further developing and promoting ADR and the VIAC in the region, raising awareness and understanding on practical issues in arbitration and ADR."

"I am thrilled to become the VIAC ambassador. I see the need for a neutral arbitration forum in the CEE region. VIAC is a strong and competitive arbitration institution and is the perfect match for such a purpose. Not only because of VIAC’s innovative approach (e.g., its own portal for online case management) but also because of its location in a wonderful Vienna and the learned professionals surrounding and running the institution. I am sure, the CAN initiative will bring even more new initiatives and arbitration events promoting VIAC. VIAC CAN – and so we CAN!"

"Vienna has always been a dispute resolution center, particularly for center and eastern european parties. Having the privilege to practice arbitration in Vienna, I had a chance and an honor to be involved in arbitrations administered by VIAC and conducted under its rules. VIAC's flexibility, culture understanding and geographic closeness makes it one of the best fitted foreign arbitration institutions for Moldovan business environment. Since international arbitration in Moldova is perhaps less popular than other CEE countries, as an ambassador I would help the Moldovan arbitration and business communities to understand VIAC and its potential role for them."

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"I was attracted by VIAC because I consider it to be the natural arbitration hub for the region of Central, East and Southeast Europe where arbitration is on a steady uptick. VIAC offers the highly-professional and modern service of a top international institution, but is at the same time attune to the needs of regional players. Plus, it is in Vienna!"

"I am honored to serve as the VIAC China Ambassador and look forward to promoting VIAC and international arbitration in the region. VIAC’s reputation for impartiality, efficiency, and its ability to handle complex cross-border disputes make it a key player in global arbitration. My experience in helping Austrian clients recover losses through arbitration has shown me firsthand the importance of robust international arbitration mechanisms. I am excited to leverage this role to raise awareness of VIAC in China, where arbitration is becoming an increasingly favored method of dispute resolution for international commercial matters."

"International arbitration is becoming increasingly popular in Poland, with clients looking for an efficient and cost-effective institution to manage their disputes. VIAC meets these objectives yet does not seem to have enough recognition in Poland. I believe that with the new leadership, new VIAC rules and the number of initiatives that are undertaken it has the potential to increase its presence on the Polish market. I hope that as the VIAC Ambassador, I will be able to facilitate that."

"I am thrilled to represent VIAC in Poland and having a chance to contribute to its expansion as a leading global arbitration institution. I look forward to working with VIAC community in promoting peaceful resolution of commercial and investment disputes."

"Regarding my interest in VIAC, I have recently worked on arbitration matters with Austrian clients and Austrian co-counsel involving Korean companies, and I believe that Vienna has the potential to replace Singapore and Hong Kong as the preferred neutral arbitration destination for Korean users. I look forward to contributing as much as I can to further grow VIAC’s position in Korea and Asia."

“Next generation industries fast growing in CEE, but also the traditional ones facing challenges from post-pandemic supply issues and instability in the region, want modern, flexible and efficient dispute resolution methods. The international arbitration community should now, more than ever, actively listen to users’ views to understand their changing needs and promote procedures that are meaningful to them. I believe VIAC CAN is an initiative with immense potential to guide this process in the CEE region by bringing together an international community of practitioners and users around VIAC as a leading arbitral institution. I look forward to joining forces with VIAC in this mission.”

"Why VIAC? Because VIAC is built on the Austrian arbitration tradition and reunites the most renowned international arbitration experts, having an awareness of the business sectors, with a view to fairness and rapidity in the interest of the parties involved."

“I am excited to join the VIAC CAN initiative and act as ambassador for Serbia, a country showing great potential for further development in the area of international arbitration. I am confident that we can strengthen and further develop our international network of professionals and by working together, continue raising awareness of the potential of arbitration proceedings in the region and the role of VIAC as a renowned, geographically close and in my experience highly approachable arbitration institution and make an impact on the development of efficient dispute avoidance and resolution in the region."

"I was excited about the VIAC CAN programme as I saw it as a great opportunity to additionally promote arbitration as a preferred dispute resolution mechanism in Serbia and the region, but also a way to exchange ideas and experiences with a diverse group of talented professionals. Although I work in a pulsating market with developing arbitration potential, corporates here are still in the learning process on how to exploit the benefits of efficiency and quality of arbitration. I think that VIAC is a good fit in these circumstances, being a balanced option for a vibrant and growing market such as ours between traditional regional institutions and global arbitral institutions – VIAC balances efficiency, costs and quality between these two tides."

"Litigation can be a lengthy process, especially in Eastern Europe countries like Slovakia. Huge court backlog, postponements and trial delay result not only in increased cost and waste of precious time but also ultimate lack of confidence in justice system by business. At the VIAC, the parties can resolve their disputes both efficiently and effectively. Vienna’ s proximity to Eastern Europe Capitals makes it a perfect place for all affected parties to come together and resolve their dispute without the challenges that litigation can bring. It is not only the geographical proximity but also the cultural and historical connections that tilt the scales in favour of Vienna over other European cities."

"Joining the VIAC CAN is a great honour and privilege for me. The Network provides an outstanding platform for collaboration with distinguished colleagues around the world and allows us to contribute to the promotion of arbitration and VIAC as premier arbitration institution in the CEE region and beyond"

“As I take on the role of a VIAC Ambassador for Slovenia in the endeavour to advance VIAC's position in international arbitration within the CEE/SEE region, I draw parallels to the Argonauts embarking on their quest. Much like their pursuit of the Golden Fleece, our mission is underscored by the enduring values of international cooperation, unity, and collective growth. Just as the Argonauts epitomized collaboration and fortitude, we aim to embody these virtues in promoting a gold standard of international arbitration across regional business landscapes.”

"I was truly motivated to apply to the VIAC CAN programme for numerous reasons. VIAC was among the first arbitration institutions where I got the chance to experience arbitration proceedings. Planning a career with an aim to advance in arbitration, VIAC was an institution I looked up to. Becoming a VIAC ambassador would mean having the chance to learn about the institution on a deeper level and be part of a broad alternative dispute resolution network, both of which were very enticing for me. Moreover, Türkiye and especially Istanbul is becoming a hub for international arbitration. Cooperation among arbitration practitioners is key in promoting alternative dispute resolution. VIAC CAN, in strengthening this cooperation and dialogue, will certainly serve to this purpose. The opportunity to now be engaged in VIAC CAN as one of the Ambassadors for Türkiye is therefore very rewarding and exciting."

"I wanted to become a VIAC Ambassador, because VIAC is the pioneering arbitral institution in Central and South-Eastern Europe, and regarded as one of the leading global arbitration institutions. The Vienna Rules 2021 are definitely tailored to the needs of the parties and involve recent developments in the arbitration world. VIAC also has a quite successful case administration record and VIAC’s method of administration of proceedings saves time and costs. Arbitration is on the rise in Türkiye for the last decade and seems become more and more common in the upcoming years taking into account the growing and gigantic interest among the practitioners. VIAC has a huge potential to become more popular for Turkish parties and also Türkiye seated international arbitration proceedings in the near future."

"VIAC is where the tradition of excellence is artfully shaped into modern methods and exceptional client care. As an arbitration practitioner, I at all times appreciate VIAC's large pool of the world's elite arbitrators, perfectly balanced and flexible Vienna Rules, predictable and competitive fees, helpful and professional VIAC Secretariat, and user-friendly electronic administration of proceedings. Thanks to the proactive legal community, arbitration-friendly legislation and case law, international arbitration is thriving in Ukraine. For the above reasons, I am excited to join the VIAC CAN as Ambassador for Ukraine, and to share my VIAC experiences with the Ukrainian arbitration community!"

“Honored and happy to represent Ukraine in a new VIAC initiative to promote ADR in international trade and investments in CEE and SEE.”

"It is a great honour and privilege to have been appointed as the VIAC Ambassador to Uzbekistan and to be a part of the VIAC CAN in its efforts to promote arbitration and ADR. As one of the premier arbitration institutions in the world, VIAC is among the frequently chosen institutions in Uzbekistan. I believe that together with the VIAC CAN, we will be able to contribute further to the promotion of arbitration and ADR as well as the VIAC not only in Uzbekistan, but also in the region as a whole."