ICC welcomes most globally representative YAAF cohort

The ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (ICC YAAF) has announced its new regional representatives. Elected for a two-year mandate, the representatives will be responsible for promoting and developing the dynamic global network.

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ICC YAAF has announced its new cohort of Regional Representatives for the 2026-2028 mandate, bringing together its largest and most geographically diverse group to date.

Reflecting the breadth of today's arbitration and ADR landscape, the new cohort includes 116 professionals from across the dispute resolution community, including in-house counsel, arbitrators, experts, academics and counsel. Together, they will help strengthen local engagement while fostering connections across ICC YAAF's global network.

Diversity, broadly defined, remains a priority for ICC. Since its inception, ICC YAAF has sought to build a representative community that reflects the jurisdictions, perspectives and professional backgrounds that shape international dispute resolution. For the 2026-2028 mandate, ICC YAAF representatives are based across 87 cities in 73 countries, representing 78 nationalities and speaking 20 languages. This broad representation strengthens ICC YAAF's ability to connect young practitioners around the world and support the development of future leaders in dispute resolution.

This year's cohort marks an important milestone for geographical representation, with 13 countries and four cities represented for the first time.

Newly represented countries include: Benin, Bhutan, Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Netherlands, Slovakia, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

In addition, ICC YAAF welcomes representatives based in the following cities for the first time: Douala, Düsseldorf, Hanoi, Isamabad.

Stella Leptourgou, ICC YAAF Co-Chair and Managing Counsel at the Secretariat of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, said:

"We warmly welcome our new ICC YAAF Representatives for the 2026-2028 mandate and look forward to working with them to continue growing our global community. At the same time, we extend our deepest thanks to our outgoing representatives, whose dedication, energy and commitment have helped shape YAAF's success over the past two years. Their contribution will have a lasting impact and we are excited to see the next cohort build on this strong foundation."

Since being established in 2008, ICC YAAF has provided a platform for young dispute resolution professionals to build meaningful connections at both the local and international levels. Open to practitioners aged 40 years and under, ICC YAAF offers opportunities to develop expertise, expand professional networks and gain deeper insight into ICC Dispute Resolution Services.

Today, ICC YAAF connects a global community of more than 45,800 members through seven regional chapters and supports over 100 events each year, including conferences, workshops, training sessions and networking opportunities.

Over the next two years, ICC YAAF Representatives will play a key role in strengthening engagement across their jurisdictions and neighbouring regions, helping to ensure that young practitioners have access to knowledge-sharing opportunities, professional development and a vibrant international network.

The official handover between outgoing and incoming representatives will take place at the 10th ICC YAAF Global Conference, to be held in London on 16 October 2026, alongside the annual arbitration conference of ICC United Kingdom. Learn more about the ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF)nouvelle fenêtre  or contact your regional Head of Chapter.