Gabriela Álvarez Ávila Elected ICSID Deputy Secretary-General

Washington, D.C., February 6, 2026 - Member States of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) have elected Gabriela Álvarez Ávila as Deputy Secretary-General.

The ICSID Administrative Council confirmed Ms. Álvarez's appointment in a resolution adopted on February 2, 2026. She was nominated by Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group and Chair of the ICSID Administrative Council, following an international recruitment process.

Ms. Álvarez, a Mexican national, has more than 25 years of experience in investor-state dispute settlement and international commercial arbitration. She began her career in international arbitration at ICSID in 2000. She advanced to Senior Counsel and served as Tribunal Secretary in many cases until 2007. She then joined the law firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle as Counsel in November 2007 and became a partner in 2008. In 2017, she was designated by Mexico to the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators. In July 2021, Ms. Álvarez joined the law firm DLA Piper as a partner and co-leader of the Latin America Arbitration Practice Group. She was appointed as a member of the ICC Court of Arbitration for Mexico in 2021 and reappointed for a second term in 2024. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

"We are delighted to welcome Gabriela back to ICSID as Deputy Secretary-General," said Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID. "With deep expertise in international investment law and dispute resolution-advising States, investors, and state owned enterprises under ICSID and non ICSID rules, and serving as arbitrator-she will provide leadership across key operational areas. I look forward to working closely with Gabriela to advance our priorities of world class case management and continued improvements in the efficiency and innovation of ICSID procedures and services."

Ms. Álvarez stated: "I am truly honored to return to ICSID as Deputy Secretary-General. I look forward to collaborating with Martina and the entire team to advance ICSID's mission of excellence in international investment dispute resolution. It is a privilege to contribute to the organization's goals, and I am eager to partner with colleagues and stakeholders to support ICSID's continued innovation and service to the global community."

Ms. Álvarez's term as Deputy Secretary-General begins on April 6, 2026.

Click here to see a bio of Gabriela Álvarez Ávila.