On 24 June 2025, the World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitration Center”) and the Instituto de Certificação e Formação de Mediadores Lusófonos (ICFML) jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new step towards strengthening the professionalism of mediation services and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border dispute resolution through bilateral cooperation. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Ms. Leong Weng In, Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and Mr. Jacinto Luiz, Acting Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The MoU was signed by Mr. Jackson Tsui, Chair of the Council and Executive Committee of the Arbitration Center, and Ms. Ana Coimbra Trigo, ICFML’s representative in Macao.

Following the signing ceremony, the Arbitration Center hosted a thematic seminar titled “Quality Standards in Conflict Mediation”, featuring interactive exchanges with the attending guests.

In his speech, Mr. Jackson Tsui emphasised that mediation, as a flexible and efficient alternative dispute resolution mechanism, offers significant advantages in terms of legal risk control, cost reduction, and preservation of party relationships. He noted that the cooperation with ICFML would further reinforce Macao’s role as a legal bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Ms. Ana Coimbra Trigo, ICFML’s representative in Macao, stated in her address that since its establishment in 2008, ICFML has been committed to developing a mediation certification system covering Lusophone countries such as Portugal, Brazil, and Angola. She highlighted that the cooperation with the Arbitration Center will promote mutual recognition and interoperability of mediation standards between China and Lusophone countries, further strengthening Macao’s role as a hub for China–Portuguese-speaking countries dispute resolution.

During the seminar, Ms. Vong Sok Hei, Rosita, Secretary-General of the Arbitration Center, and Ms. Ana Coimbra Trigo each delivered keynote speeches. Ms. Vong focused on the practical development of mediation in Macao and outlined future directions for mediation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Ms. Trigo elaborated on the quality standards for mediation in Lusophone countries.

Guests attending the MoU signing ceremony and the thematic seminar included: Mr. Lei Chi Wai Antonio, Vice-Chair of the Council and Executive Committee of the Arbitration Center; Council Members Mr. Alberto Lei and Mr. Ivan Fong; Ms. Micaela Fátima dos Santos Chan, Acting Senior Manager of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) under the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Ms. Emilia da Conceição Cardoso dos Santos, Legal Expert of the Legal Affairs Bureau; Mr. Chang Pak Ngai, Senior Technician of the Legal Affairs Bureau; Associate Professor Manuel Marcelino Escovar Trigo, Director of the Centre for Legal Studies at the University of Macau; as well as mediators of the Arbitration Center. A total of over 40 participants attended the event.