Statement by Ms. Varduhi Melikyan, Counsellor of the Mission of Armenia at the UNGA80 Sixth Committee under agenda item “Report of the United Nations Commission on[...]

Mr. Chair,

Since its establishment the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) serves a single but powerful purpose to harmonize legal framework and modernize the international trade law. In our times of unprecedented globalisation and technological advancemet where commerce crosses every border and digital trade grows by the second, UNCITRAL provides member states - developed or developing - with the tools and expertise to navigate the complexities of international commerce and to participate in global trade on an equal footing.

As a member of the Commission Armenia remains committed to actively contribute to the work and deliberations of UNCITRAL in addressing the evolving concerns and challenges faced by States with the objective to shape more interconnected, fair and prosperous global economy.

We welcome the report of 58^th session of the Commission and are pleased to note advanced new frameworks on negotiable cargo documents, warehouse receipts. We are particulary keen to ongoing deliberations on the reform of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism within the framework of Working Group III. Armenia attaches great importance to the advancement of a balanced and inclusive reform process that strengthens legal certainty while ensuring equitable access to justice for all States.

In this respect Armenia welcomed the idea of establishing UNCITRAL Advisory Center on International Investment Dispute Resolution and expressed willingness to host the Center or its regional office. In our view locating the Advisory Centre in a developing country would align with the Centre's core mission of supporting developing and least developed states through capacity-building initiatives and foster their ability to effectively engage in international arbitration cases.

With a view to facilitate the discussions towards establishment and functioning of the Center we hosted the second meeting on the operationalization of the Advisory Centre from 6 to 8 May 2025 in Yerevan. The event brought together a wide range of participants and generated substantive and constructive discussions, reflecting the growing interest and shared determination of States and organizations to advance the establishment of the Center. We are looking forward to the 3^rd meeting to be held in Paris later this year.

Armenia reiterates its interest in hosting the Advisory Center or its regional office in Yerevan and is actively engaged in the discussions on the matter. Apart from Armenia's strategic location at the intersection of the East and West Armenia offers a cost-effective and well-supported environment. Lower operational expenditures covering salaries, utilities, and expert services would allow the Centre to channel more resources into capacity-building and technical assistance. Furthermore, the Government stands ready to provide institutional support through the Office of the Representative on International Legal Matters, which specializes in arbitration and dispute resolution.

Mr. Chair,

In the world where business disagreements and disputes can span continents the internationally recognised effective dispute settlement mechanisms become even more critical. Access to fair arbitration is a prerequisite for investor confidence for the sake of crossborder commercial relationships especially for the small and developing states.

Armenia remains committed to join its efforts to global engagement in the work of UNCITRAL and contribute to strengthening cooperation among nations based on trust and legal certainty.