Istanbul, Türkiye – November 7, 2025 – The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC Arbitration Centre) successfully concluded its high-level sessions today, comprising the 3rd Board of Trustees Meeting and the 6th Board of Directors Meeting on November 2, 2025. Held separately at the same venue in ToBB Plaza building in Istanbul, Türkiye, the successful conclusion of both meetings signals a significant step forward in reinforcing the Centre’s governance structure and strategic direction.
The meetings were chaired sequentially by H.E. Abdullah Saleh Kamel (President of the Board of Trustees) for the Board of Trustees meeting and H.E. M. Rifat Hisarciklioğlu (President of the Board) for the Board of Directors meeting. Esteemed members from both boards, representing the diversity of the OIC region, attended their respective sessions. This high-level engagement confirmed the unified commitment of the leadership to the Centre’s mandate and further strengthens its governance and operational framework for global reach.
In a major step to enhance its oversight and institutional authority, the Boards, through resolutions adopted in their respective meetings, approved the renaming of the International Supervisory Board to the “International Court of Arbitration”. This strategic change formalizes the body’s nature and aligns the Centre with international best practices in institutional dispute resolution.
Crucially, the newly renamed International Court of Arbitration will now also serve as the Rules Committee of the OIC Arbitration Centre. This ensures direct oversight and expertise in the development and continuous refinement of the Centre’s Arbitration and Mediation Rules.
To further bolster the Court’s expertise, the Board of Directors also announced key appointments:
- Three distinguished members – Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, Dr. Emad Hussein, and Ms. Irawati Hermawan – were appointed to the International Court of Arbitration.
- Dr. Emad Hussein, a renowned international arbitrator and strategic management expert, was appointed as the Deputy President of the International Court of Arbitration. In this role, Dr. Hussein will work closely with the Court’s President, Andrea Carlevaris, ensuring strategic execution of the Court’s mandate, including its function as the Rules Committee.
This strategic expansion of the Court’s leadership and membership is poised to enhance the efficiency, integrity, and depth of oversight for the Centre’s arbitration and mediation proceedings.
The Boards also approved fundamental updates to the Centre’s procedural rules: the OIC Arbitration Centre Arbitration Rules 2026 and the OIC Arbitration Centre Mediation Rules 2026. These revisions reinforce the Centre’s commitment to efficiency, transparency, and flexibility in international dispute resolution.
A key highlight from the meetings was the formal endorsement of the Young OIC Arbitration Group. This new body will serve as the dedicated young professional arm of the Centre, tasked with promoting ADR awareness and capacity building across all OIC member countries, ensuring the Centre’s legacy and relevance for future generations of legal professionals.
Following the approvals, the respective Chairs issued strong statements of encouragement and confidence.
H.E. Abdullah Saleh Kamel stated, “The adoption of the updated Arbitration and Mediation Rules and the renaming of the International Supervisory Board as the International Court of Arbitration underscores our dedication to providing a world-class platform for justice. I strongly encourage all OIC member countries and their business communities to utilise this independent and efficient Centre for resolving their investment and commercial disputes. Furthermore, I have the utmost confidence in the Secretariat’s leadership and am delighted to witness the Centre’s increased global visibility as it establishes itself as a trusted neutral hub.”
H.E. M. Rifat Hisarciklioğlu echoed this sentiment, adding, “The formal launch of the Young OIC Arbitration Group is an investment in our future, ensuring a continuous supply of skilled professionals dedicated to fair dispute resolution. The renaming of the International Supervisory Board to the International Court of Arbitration and the strategic appointment of Deputy President Dr. Emad Hussein to collaborate with President Andrea Carlevaris are critical steps in strengthening our global standing and rules-making authority. We are confident that with these modern rules and the tireless work of the Secretariat’s strong leadership, the OIC Arbitration Centre will become the preferred choice for business in the OIC region and beyond. We celebrate the significant steps taken to enhance the Centre’s stature and global visibility.”
The meetings concluded with a renewed mandate to continue expanding the Centre’s services, promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and serving as a key facilitator of economic cooperation and stability across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
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