Originally from: Annulment of ICSID Awards

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There is little doubt that this Conference has been a conspicuous success, and indeed exceptionally substantial.  The reason is simple: the organizers deserve to be congratulated for having chosen a subject of fundamental importance, both practical and “philosophical,” which had hardly been explored and discussed before in any depth.

My first remark is therefore one of satisfaction: contrary to what happens in a large, too large number of conferences and arbitration seminars these days, where listeners are exposed to endless repetitions of trite and/or self-promoting speeches, the participants to this Washington Conference can confidently assert that they have learned something, and probably a lot—thanks to the many speeches and interventions we have heard today—from a galaxy of very experienced counsel and arbitrators.

A second remark follows from the first: the discussion has been so rich that any attempts to suggest to you a summary or what is known in France as a “rapport de synthèse” would obviously be futile, if not ridiculous.  All I can propose to you, by way of conclusion, are a few of the many subjective ideas or impressions which crossed my mind when listening to the many excellent speakers we heard today.