International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes establishes Singapore office

This will be ICSID’s first staffed office outside of its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) will open its first staffed office outside of the US in Singapore.

The ICSID is the World Bank institution dedicated to resolving international disputes between investors and host governments through arbitration and conciliation.

The Singapore Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the ICSID signed a Letter of Intent, formalising the establishment of ICSID’s office in the country.

The ICSID Singapore Office will serve as ICSID’s regional hub, from which ICSID can administer ICSID cases. It will also provide capacity-building and training, and engage more closely with government officials, law practitioners, and organisations in Singapore and across the region.

The ICSID Singapore Office will be based at the World Bank Group Singapore Office at 10 Marina Boulevard, joining the other four World Bank Group organisations, which already have offices in Singapore.

ICSID will maintain satellite premises at Maxwell Chambers Suites, the world’s first integrated dispute resolution complex that houses hearing facilities, international dispute resolution institutions, law firms, arbitration chambers and ancillary services.

ICSID’s primary purpose is to promote foreign investment by providing a neutral and reliable forum for settling disputes between investors and States. ICSID offers a unique legal framework and specialised expertise for the resolution of investment disputes in a fair, efficient, and conclusive manner.

ICSID is one of the World Bank Group’s five organisations, and as of 2025, has 158 Contracting States.

Singapore became a Contracting Member State when it ratified the ICSID Convention on 14 October 1968.

As an ICSID Member State, Singapore has designated Singapore lawyers, arbitrators and mediators to the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Panel of Conciliators, to be available for selection by parties to ICSID Tribunals, Conciliation Commissions and ad hoc Committees.