麻豆传媒

On 7 July 2025, the Legal Counsel, Ms. Elinor Hammarskj枚ld, opened the 58th session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), held in Vienna from 7 to 23 July. In her first address to UNCITRAL since taking office, she underscored its vital role in strengthening legal frameworks for international trade and development, particularly in times of global challenge.

She also took the opportunity to refer to the UN80 Initiative, launched to reform and strengthen the UN system as the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary. Acknowledging the fiscal and operational constraints facing UNCITRAL, she encouraged the Commission to reflect on adapting its working methods ahead of its 60th anniversary in 2026.

While delegates are most familiar with OLA鈥檚 International Trade Law Division, which serves as the substantive secretariat of UNCITRAL, the Legal Counsel highlighted other key contributions from OLA to UNCITRAL鈥檚 work, such as the Treaty Section鈥檚 role as depositary of UNCITRAL conventions and the Codification Division鈥檚 coordination with the Sixth Committee to ensure proper submission and review of legislative texts by the General Assembly.

The Legal Counsel also noted the ambitious agenda of the 58th session, which reflects the Commission鈥檚 productivity. The Commission will consider several legislative texts for adoption or endorsement, including: (i) a draft convention on negotiable cargo documents, (ii) a toolkit and background notes on asset tracing and recovery in insolvency proceedings, and (iii) a toolkit on the prevention and mitigation of international investment disputes.

Highlighting UNCITRAL鈥檚 practical impact, the Legal Counsel cited a recent side event on legal tools for empowering landlocked developing countries, which explored how the proposed convention negotiable cargo documents could improve trade access for such countries.

Turning to the future work programme, she welcomed a surge of new proposals from States in the area of digital trade, including initiatives related to digital payment systems, trading platforms and digital agents, consolidation of existing UNCITRAL texts with e-commerce aspects, support for paperless trade, and continued work on dispute resolution in the digital economy. This broad engagement reflects a strong interest both in fostering interoperability, legal certainty, and sustainable digital trade and in supporting UNCITRAL鈥檚 work.

In closing, the Legal Counsel acknowledged the global implementation of UNCITRAL texts, supported by initiatives such as the UNCITRAL Days events in various regions, and expressed appreciation for the continued participation of States and stakeholders. She then formally declared the 58th session open.