About EAW26
IAC Eurasia Arbitration Week (EAW) connects the Eurasia and global arbitration and dispute resolution communities. It is a platform for leading arbitrators, private practice lawyers, in-house counsel, policymakers and academics to discuss modern arbitration and dispute resolution practices, opportunities, challenges, and solutions for business in Eurasia. Through a series of engaging discussions and expert panels, EAW aims to promote arbitration, ADR and the rule of law, and protect investor rights with independent,
trusted and cost-effective dispute resolution.

IAC EAW26 is the fourth annual Eurasia arbitration event to be held at the International Arbitration Centre (IAC). Last year, more than 400 participants attended EAW25 from the US, UK, Eurasia, Europe, and Asia.
EAW26 Programme
(updates ongoing)
Training in collaboration with the Turkic Arbitration Association
The Arbitrator’s Toolkit: From Appointment to Final Award
Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Please note: Attendance on the Training Day is subject to a registration fee.
A separate registration form for the Training Day will be available soon.
10:30 – 10:50
Registration
10:50 – 11:00
Opening Remarks
  • Christopher Campbell-Holt OBE, Registrar & Chief Executive, AIFC Court & IAC (UK/Kazakhstan)
11:00 – 12:30
Training Session 1. Inside the Tribunal Room
Managing Parties, Evidence and Hearings
Moderator:
  • Anna Guillard Sazhko, Independent Arbitrator & Counsel (France/Ukraine)

Speakers:
  • Mahnaz Malik, Arbitrator & Barrister, Twenty Essex (UK)
  • Joe Tirado, International Arbitrator, Mediator & ADR Consultant, TiradoADR Limited (UK/Spain)
  • Sergei Vataev, Partner, Legit Advocates' Bureau (Kazakhstan)
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 15:00
Training Session 2. Being Appointed as an Arbitrator
Qualifications, Ethics, Challenges and Essentials of Case Management
Moderator:
  • Mahnaz Malik, Arbitrator & Barrister, Twenty Essex (UK)

Speakers:
  • Gary Born, Partner, Chair, International Arbitration Practice Group (UK/USA)
  • Prof. Loukas Mistelis, Queen Mary University of London (UK)
  • Aigoul Kenjebayeva, Partner, Dentons (Kazakhstan)
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:30
Training Session 3. In Conversation with Gary Born
Decision-Making, Deliberations and Excellence in Arbitration
Moderator:
  • Anna Guillard Sazhko, Independent Arbitrator & Counsel (France/Ukraine)

Speaker:
  • Gary Born, Partner, Chair, International Arbitration Practice Group (UK/USA)
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
09:00 – 10:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
10:00 – 10:30
Opening Ceremony
  • Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman (Germany/Kazakhstan)
  • The Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon, AIFC Court Chief Justice (UK/Kazakhstan)
  • Renat Bekturov, AIFC Governor (Kazakhstan)
10:30 – 11:30
Panel 1. International Arbitration in Eurasia: Navigating Diverse Traditions, Frameworks & Cultural Expectations
Moderator:
  • Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman (Germany/Kazakhstan)

Speakers:
  • The Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon, AIFC Court Chief Justice (UK/Kazakhstan)
  • Aigoul Kenjebayeva, Partner, Dentons (Kazakhstan)
  • Prof. Maria Chiara Malaguti, President Emeritus of UNIDROIT & Professor of International Law at Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore (Italy)
  • Prof. Loukas Mistelis, Queen Mary University of London (UK)
  • Joe Tirado, International Arbitrator, Mediator & ADR Consultant, TiradoADR Limited (UK/Spain)
11:30 – 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:00
KEYNOTE SPEAKER. International Arbitration: Past, Present & Future
Moderator:
  • Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman (Germany/Kazakhstan)

Speakers:
  • Gary Born, Partner, Chair, International Arbitration Practice Group (UK/USA)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:00
Panel 2. Investment Opportunities & Risks in the Dispute Resolution Context
Moderator:
  • Anna Guillard Sazhko, Independent Arbitrator & Counsel (France/Ukraine)

Speakers:
  • Dr. Yulia Levashova, Associate Professor, Nyenrode Business University (Netherlands)
  • Konstantin Christie, Partner, Peter & Kim (Switzerland)
  • Kevin Nash, Director General, LCIA (UK)
  • Dr. Eda Manav Özdemir, Head of the International Arbitration Department, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (Türkiye)
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:30
Panel 3. Resolving Complex Disputes in the Middle Corridor & Silk Road: An Integrated Approach
Moderator – TBA

Speakers:
  • Saltanat Imanova, Chairman of Supervisory Board, ICA CCI KR (Kyrgyzstan)
  • Mukhit Yeleuov, Partner, ADL Disputes (Kazakhstan)
16:30 – 17:30
Panel 4. Cross-Border M&A Disputes: Why They Arise & How to Resolve
Moderator:
  • Joe Tirado, International Arbitrator, Mediator & ADR Consultant, TiradoADR Limited (UK/Spain)

Speakers:
  • Ardak Idayatova, Partner & Head of Dispute Resolution Practice, Kinstellar (Kazakhstan)
  • Bakhyt Tukulov, Partner, TKS Disputes (Kazakhstan)
17:30 – 18:00
Special Panel. Access to Justice in Arbitration in Central Asia
Moderator:
  • Aigoul Kenjebayeva, Partner, Dentons (Kazakhstan)

Speakers – TBA
18:00 – 20:00
Sundowner (Reception) by the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan
Thursday, 2 July 2026
09:00 – 10:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
10:00 – 11:00
Panel 1. AI in Arbitration: Appropriate Use, Limits & Ethics
Moderator – TBA

Speakers:
  • Alexandre Vagenheim, Legal Director, Jus Mundi (France)
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:00
Queen Mary International Arbitration Survey: Global Trends, User Expectations & the Path Forward
  • Prof. Loukas Mistelis, Queen Mary University of London (UK)
12:00 – 13:00
Panel 2. Arbitration from the Inside: What In-house Counsel Really Want
Moderator:
  • Zmarak Khan, Deputy Chief Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program (USA)

Speakers:
  • Nurzhan Kosbayev, Director of Legal Department, The National Bank of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan)
  • Elyar Aliyev, Vice President Legal, British Petroleum (Azerbaijan)
  • Samir Abdullayev, Director, Legal Western & Central, Alstom (Azerbaijan)
  • Jeff Erlich, Director, American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan (USA/Kazakhstan)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 14:45
DEBATES. Procedural Efficiency in Arbitration: Myth, Mantra or Menace?
Moderator:
  • Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman (Germany/Kazakhstan)

Speakers:
  • Artem Doudko, Partner, Osborne Clarke (UK)
  • Mahnaz Malik, Arbitrator & Barrister, Twenty Essex (UK)
14:45 – 15:45
Panel 3. Enforcing Arbitration Awards: Strategies for Success
Moderator:
  • Christopher Campbell-Holt OBE, Registrar & Chief Executive, AIFC Court & IAC (UK/Kazakhstan)

Speakers:
  • Sergei Vataev, Partner, Legit Advocates' Bureau (Kazakhstan)
  • Dr. Ilia Rachkov, Partner, Nektorov, Saveliev & Partners (Russia)
  • BKLS Representative
15:45 – 16:00
Closing Ceremony
  • Thomas Krümmel, IAC Chairman (Germany/Kazakhstan)

TBA

EAW26 Speakers
(updates ongoing)
Institutional Supporters
Our address
AIFC Court and IAC Premises, 55/16 Mangilik El Avenue,
Block C3.1, Astana, Kazakhstan
IAC EAW26
More infomation
Contact us
Tel: +7 (7172) 64 73 73
Email: Communications@aifc-iac.kz
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