Date: 24 Jul 2026
Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant Ji,
Hon'ble Judges of the Supreme Court,
My Ministerial Colleague Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal Ji,
Learned Attorney General of India, Shri R. Venkataramani Ji,
Secretary of UNCITRAL Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret
Our distinguished guests from other legal world abroad, Judges,
Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
A very good evening to all of you,
It is a great pleasure for me today to speak to this distinguished gathering, convened to commemorate a major milestone - which is the sixtieth anniversary of UNCITRAL. I extend a particularly warm welcome to our international delegates who have travelled from across the world to join us to mark this important occasion.
Over the past six decades, UNCITRAL has emerged as one of the most successful institutions within the UN system. Through its model laws, conventions, legislative guides and legal standards, it has significantly contributed to the harmonization, modernization and progressive development of international trade law.
As the world economy undergoes profound transformation, driven by technological change, digital commerce, evolving supply chains and new patterns of investments, the work of UNCITRAL has acquired even greater relevance. The Commission has consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt to emerging realities while preserving the principles of inclusivity, consensus and respect for diverse legal traditions.
Many of you are aware that India's association with UNCITRAL has been both longstanding and substantive as one of eight countries that holds continuous membership of UNCITRAL. India has actively contributed to the evolution of international trade law across several areas. Our domestic legal framework has similarly drawn inspiration from UNCITRAL instruments. Successive reforms in arbitration, commercial dispute resolution and insolvency reflect India's unwavering commitment to creating a modern, transparent and internationally compatible legal environment.
Today, India is one of the fastest-growing major economies. Our vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 (i.e. Developed India) is founded on a resilient economy, technological innovation, expanded manufacturing and deeper integration with the global economy. But achieving these objectives requires predictable legal frameworks that facilitate international trade, investment and commercial cooperation.
India has consistently supported UNCITRAL's consensus-based approach. Our active engagement across its Working Groups reflects our conviction that international legal norms must be shaped through inclusive dialogue and broad participation. Developing countries and the Global South have an important stake in ensuring that the evolution of international trade law reflects their developmental priorities as well as practical realities.
Distinguished participants
Ladies and gentlemen
Today’s world is witnessing unprecedented geopolitical volatility, supply chain disruptions, rapid technological shifts. And these developments are affecting how goods, services, capital, and data move across borders, exposing businesses and governments to risks for which no country can be resilient in isolation.
Amidst the fast changing global landscape, development of international law therefore cannot remain insulated. What nations are seeking is not just infrastructure and connectivity, but most of all legal predictability. They are looking for harmonized, rules-based architecture that ensures the trades, data flows and contracts enforcement are seamless across borders and continents. With harmonized legal frameworks, efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms, and greater certainty in cross-border transactions, that UNCITRAL in particular is advancing, trade and cross-border commerce can remain resilient even amidst all these disruption.
Further, as the economic centre of gravity shifts, the legal architecture of tomorrow must be more democratic, inclusive, and sensitive to the realities of the Global South. UNCITRAL’s important mission in its next chapter will be to ensure that international trade law acts as an leveller, bridging the gap between developed and developing economies.
I am confident that the deliberations over the coming days that you will all undertake will generate fresh ideas and fresh thoughts, strengthen partnerships and contribute meaningfully to UNCITRAL's future work. I particularly hope that this conference inspires even greater engagement from our region, and encourages the next generation of legal scholars, jurists, practitioners and policymakers to contribute to the progressive development of international trade law.
I congratulate the UNCITRAL Secretariat on this landmark anniversary, and felicitate the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court of India, and all those whose efforts have made this conference possible.
I wish the delegates a very productive conference, and a very enjoyable stay in India.
Thank you. Jai Hind.
New Delhi
July 22, 2026
