VIAC & VIART have been officially transferred and assigned the Intensive Training program of Arbitrator skills from USAID

HANOI, Vietnam – In December 2023, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) successfully co-hosted the “Arbitrator Skills Camp”. Subsequently, on December 4^th, 2023, VIAC had a meeting with USAID and a group of foreign experts to discuss some specific details regarding the handover of this training program. As a result of this discussion, VIAC and VIART have been officially transferred and assigned the Intensive Training program of Arbitrator Skills from USAID.

The meeting had the  presence of representatives from VIAC, USAID, and the group of experts who were directly involved in the recently concluded training course. On behalf of VIAC were Mr. Vu Anh Duong - Permanent Vice President cum Secretary General of VIAC, along with representatives from the VIAC Secretariat and VIAC listed arbitrators. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Joseph Liow – Founder and Director of Joseph Liow Chambers - representing the team of experts.

In addition to the official transfer of the training program, the two parties also discussed in detail the training modules, the training organisational  methods, the necessary duration for activities within the framework of a training course, and other notes for the implementation process to ensure that the training program is within the Vietnamese context. Accordingly, VIAC and the Vietnam International Arbitration Research and Training Institute (VIART), a division of VIAC, are the official copyright owners of the Arbitrator Skills Camp training program, including the course’s content and materials.

By receiving and tailoring this advanced arbitration training program for legal counsel and arbitrators practicing in Vietnam, VIAC once again reaffirms its commitment as a dispute resolution organisation to improve and enhance the quality of its dispute resolution services. Beyond an arbitration institution, VIAC also strives to promote ADRs in Vietnam, and the formation of the arbitration and ADRs professional community, making arbitration and ADRs become effective mechanisms for the business community, contributing to the ideal of making Vietnam an attractive destination for international trade and investment.

At the meeting, Mr. Vu Anh Duong - Permanent Vice President cum Secretary General of VIAC - expressed his gratitude for the support and companionship of USAID Vietnam in promoting the development and use of ADRs in Vietnam. USAID Vietnam is an organisation with a long-standing history of engagement with Vietnam which has implemented many activities to promote institutional reforms and enhance the competitiveness of the Vietnamese economy, including providing technical assistance, training, and advocacy to further  the development and use of arbitration and mediation in Vietnam, in line with international standards and best practices. VIAC hoped that through transferring this advanced training course to VIART, the effectiveness of USAID's support will continue to be maintained, contributing to VIAC's efforts to foster the continuous cultivation of expertise in the field of arbitration.