Mian Sheraz Javaid Reflects on a Fruitful Meeting with Jonathan Wood FCiarb at Ciarb Kenya's 40th Anniversary Conference
Building Professional Relationships
A hallmark of their working relationship has indeed been Sheraz's rapport with Wood, so the recent one was no exception. "The conversations are always insightful and rich," Sheraz shared, focusing on the quality of the exchange. The duo has enjoyed the long-standing partnership since 2022, when Sheraz had the honour to host Wood at the inauguration ceremony of Ciarb in Pakistan. The event became a watershed moment in the history of Ciarb's growing influence in the region, as the participation of Wood added substantial weight to the event.
Reflections on Past Collaboration
Reflecting on their prior meeting in Pakistan, Sheraz fondly recalled the experience. “It was a great honour to have Jonathan with us in Pakistan in 2022,” he said. “His visit marked a significant chapter in the growth of Ciarb in the region. It was a true pleasure to host him and show him the passion and commitment of the members here.”
As Ciarb Kenya marked its 40th anniversary, Sheraz seized the moment to extend his warmest congratulations to the Kenya branch for its outstanding contribution to the field of ADR. "Reaching 40 years of advancing alternative dispute resolution is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with Ciarb Kenya," he said. This milestone, according to Sheraz, was testament to the enduring influence of the branch on the practice of arbitration in Kenya and Africa in general. According to him, the continued success of Ciarb Kenya exemplified the power of collaborative effort in advancing the cause of ADR.
Celebrating Ciarb Kenya’s Milestone
As the Chair of Ciarb Pakistan, Sheraz recognised the increased influence of the Pakistan branch as it was almost reaching its second anniversary. Considering the fact that the Ciarb Pakistan Branch had been in operation for just two years, this is quite a commendable step towards popularising arbitration in Pakistan. The branch has been working hard to establish relationships with key players in the legal and business communities, positioning itself as a vital resource for those involved in dispute resolution.
“Ciarb Pakistan has come a long way in a short time,” said Sheraz. “We are extremely proud of what we have achieved, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in strengthening the arbitration community in Pakistan. The vision and hard work of our members have made a significant difference.”
Lessons from Ciarb Kenya’s 40-Year Legacy
Being a strong individual member of both the Ciarb Pakistan Branch and Ciarb Kenya, Sheraz could draw parallels between the two and their achievements in their regions. Ciarb Pakistan is in its infancy at only two years of existence, while Ciarb Kenya is on four decades, inspiring all of us in the quest for sustainability and success. Through both branches, Javaid reflects a strong belief in the importance of long-term commitment to the field of arbitration and the immense potential that lies in regional and international collaboration.
Looking Ahead to the Pakistan International Disputes Weekend (PIDW) 2025
Sheraz also took a moment to look ahead to the future, sharing his excitement about the upcoming Pakistan International Disputes Weekend (PIDW) in 2025, where he anticipates welcoming Jonathan Wood once again. “I truly look forward to hosting Jonathan at the PIDW in 2025,” Sheraz said. The event, which is expected to attract leading arbitration professionals from around the world, will serve as another opportunity for the Pakistan arbitration community to engage with global thought leaders.
In addition to nurturing these professional contacts, Sheraz has been an outright champion for the development of alternative dispute resolution in South Asia. His leadership role at Ciarb Pakistan speaks volumes of his commitment to developing arbitration as a tool in dispute resolution in both local and international disputes.
Expanding the Reach of Arbitration in South Asia
As Ciarb Kenya marks 40 years of achievement, Sheraz's thoughts about the conference are a reminder that arbitration is global. The cross-pollination of ideas, insights, and experiences among professionals from different parts of the world is essential to the future of ADR. To Sheraz, such engagements are not about professional growth only but a step to help take the field of arbitration forward in the ever-developing world dispute resolution community.
The Future of Arbitration: A Global Perspective
Looking forward, Sheraz was positive about the future of arbitration in the region, especially in Pakistan, where the Ciarb Pakistan Branch is gaining recognition as a leader in ADR. He hopes that the continued success of the Ciarb Kenya Branch will inspire other branches across the globe to continue fostering excellence in arbitration and to build meaningful connections that transcend borders.
There's little doubt now that the great strides made so far by Ciarb Kenya represent the beginning rather than the culmination of the work in the first 40 years of the Institute's existence, going forward as its leaders, Mian Sheraz Javaid and Jonathan Wood, promise a hopeful future for arbitration. Both committed themselves to taking the reach of ADR as broad as to become an instrument to resolve differences of opinion through peaceful means amid growing complexity in human interaction globally.
Looking Forward to Future Success
In closing, Sheraz raised a toast to many more years of success and impactful contributions in the field of arbitration, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant and dynamic community. His message was simple: “Here’s to many more years of success and impactful contributions to the field of arbitration.”
