ADR ODR International (AOI) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Mediation Hub MENA (TMH), marking a significant step towards strengthening the development, promotion and practice of mediation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and beyond.The collaboration brings together two organisations committed to advancing mediation through professional development, education, capacity building and practical opportunities for the next generation of dispute resolution professionals.

Under the MOU, members of The Mediation Hub MENA will have access to ADR ODR International’s professional training programmes, international panel and global network, which currently extends across 52 countries and continues to grow. The partnership will also facilitate opportunities for joint programmes, initiatives and ventures aimed at strengthening mediation practice and awareness throughout the region.

Strengthening the ADR ODR International Mediation and Negotiation Competition

A key area of collaboration will be the ADR ODR International Mediation and Negotiation Competition, which has been held in Dubai since 2019. The competition focuses on developing practical mediation and negotiation skills among law and business students and has established itself as a leading competition in the MENA region, as well as one of the top five competitions globally. As part of the collaboration, members of The Mediation Hub MENA will also have the opportunity to apply to serve as judges, further contributing their expertise and experience to the development of emerging mediation professionals.

Leadership Perspectives

 Rahim Shamji, Founder and CEO of ADR ODR International, said:

      “The collaboration with The Mediation Hub MENA adds to our commitment to promoting mediation within the MENA region. We have seen in   such a short time how The Mediation Hub has had an impact on mediation and is fast becoming a lighthouse of high standards, effective dialogue and promotion. We look forward to countless opportunities with them.”

 Christine Maksoud and Dr Ahmed Alozn, Co-founders of The Mediation Hub MENA, said:

        “Mediation grows one generation at a time. What the region needs is not more talk about mediation but more people who can actually do it, and that is exactly what the competition builds, one student at a time. ADR ODR International has been doing this work in Dubai since 2019; joining forces means we can do it at a different scale. Our members gain a global network; the region gains its next generation of mediators.”

About ADR ODR International

ADR ODR International (AOI) is an international provider of dispute resolution and professional training, specialising in mediation, negotiation, arbitration, conflict management and online dispute resolution (ODR). Founded in 2016 by Barrister and Mediator Rahim Shamji, the organisation was established with a vision of advancing modern mediation and making high-quality dispute resolution education and practice accessible across jurisdictions. With a global network of dispute resolution professionals, AOI works with students, legal and business professionals, universities, institutions and organisations across multiple jurisdictions. Its training portfolio ranges from foundational and advanced mediation programmes to negotiation, arbitration and ODR/AI training, combining practical skills development with international perspectives.

AOI is committed to bridging the gap between traditional face-to-face alternative dispute resolution and the rapidly developing digital world of online dispute resolution. Its programmes emphasise practical learning, professional development and the application of dispute resolution skills in an increasingly international and technology-driven environment. Through its international training programmes, professional networks, competitions and strategic collaborations, ADR ODR International continues to promote the development of the next generation of mediators, negotiators and dispute resolution professionals worldwide.

About The Mediation Hub MENA

The Mediation Hub MENA NPIO (TMH) is a DIFC-based Non-Profit Incorporated Organisation, founded by mediation professionals to cultivate a culture of mediation across the UAE and the broader MENA region. TMH occupies a unique space in the UAE’s legal and dispute resolution landscape: it is the only independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated exclusively to advancing mediation as a mainstream tool for resolving commercial, civil, family business, and community disputes. As mediation gains rapid recognition across the UAE and MENA as a critical enabler of economic competitiveness, TMH was established to provide the connective tissue - standards, advocacy, and ecosystem support - that makes mediation work at scale.

A Shared Commitment to the Future of Mediation

The MOU reflects a shared commitment by ADR ODR International and The Mediation Hub MENA to strengthening mediation as an accessible, practical and effective means of dispute resolution.

By combining international networks, professional education, regional expertise and opportunities for practical engagement, the partnership aims to contribute to the continued growth of mediation across the MENA region while supporting the development of the next generation of mediators and dispute resolution professionals.

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