Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

The work of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in the field of commercial arbitration has been extensive. The reputation of UNCITRAL as the core international legal body derives in part from its success in improving the quality and universal acceptability of arbitration as one of the most effective means for the settlement of international commercial disputes. Besides the rapidly growing popularity of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, the effort of UNCITRAL to coordinate activities of other organizations active in the field for the modernization of arbitration is now gaining momentum as the UNCITRAL project on model arbitration law approaches its final stage. This article describes the activities of UNCITRAL in this field, which have the strong support of the United States and of the American Arbitration Association.

UNCITRAL was established in 1966 by a General Assembly resolution of the United Nations, subsequent to a proposal by Hungary that urged the United Nations to play a more active role in removing or reducing legal obstacles to the flow of international trade. Several international bodies entrusted with the harmonization of law already existed, but none had attracted truly global participation. It was intended that UNCITRAL should fill that role. Since the Commission was created, it has accomplished concrete work in several fields and it is now widely recognized as the core legal body for the unification and harmonization of international trade law.