The law firm RGD International Central Asia sponsored the 3rd Uzbek Arbitration Week (UzAW), an annual legal forum which took place in Tashkent from September 11 to 15, 2023.

Dmitry Kaysin, the Managing Partner of RGD International Central Asia, attended the UzAW business program along with representatives from the Moscow office of Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners (RGD), including Anthony Walker, Partner and Head of English Law Practice, Yan Kalish, Counsel with Dispute Resolution Practice, and Timur Abushakhmanov, Senior Associate with Dispute Resolution Practice.

Dmitry Kaysin took part in a panel discussion on the establishment of the Tashkent International Commercial Court. The experts examined the advantages and disadvantages of this forum compared to international arbitration and explored the interaction between the two institutions. Other session participants included Marie-Anne Birken, former General Counsel at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Faris Nasrallah, Member of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre; Cornel Marian, Member of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre; and Sherzod Abdulkasimov, Partner at the law firm Praelegal Uzbekistan.

Anthony Walker delivered a presentation at one of the sessions on the English Law Day, focusing on the establishment of the arbitral tribunal’s jurisdiction and addressing legal issues that may impact the validity or jurisdiction of an arbitration agreement.

Timur Abushakhmanov also spoke during the English Law Day, discussing the potential application of the English doctrine of frustration to contracts with a force majeure clause.

Yan Kalish delivered a speech at the session dedicated to the inter-institutional rules of the Tashkent and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centres and provided practical examples of joint administration of arbitration proceedings by these two institutions.

Uzbek Arbitration Week is an annual event that aims to enhance international arbitration in Central Asia and strengthen Tashkent’s position as a regional arbitration hub. Diana Bayzakova, Director of Tashkent International Arbitration Centre, expressed her thoughts on the UzAw’s important role in advancing international arbitration in the region, saying: "For many years now, Uzbek Arbitration Week has been bringing together arbitration practitioners from around the world. We were pleased to have RGD International Central Asia supporting the week and actively participating in sessions."

During the informal part of the UzAW, the RGD International Central Asia team hosted a cocktail event that was attended by around one hundred participants representing the business, academic, and international arbitration communities in Central Asia.