PARIS, FRANCE, March 24, 2026 — The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) today announced the establishment of a new office in Paris. The ICSID Paris Office will be the Centre's first staffed office in Europe and its second location outside Washington, D.C., following the announcement of the ICSID Singapore Office in August 2025.
“Opening an office in Paris marks an important milestone in our efforts to expand ICSID's global presence and bring our services closer to users and stakeholders. The ICSID Paris Office will enable us to respond even more effectively to the needs of States and investors across the region and beyond — whether for dispute resolution, preparedness, or prevention,” said Martina Polasek, ICSID Secretary-General, at an event during Paris Arbitration Week (PAW) 2026. “We are grateful to the Government of France for its partnership and for embracing this initiative.”
The ICSID Paris Office will serve as the Centre's regional hub in Europe. From this hub, ICSID will administer cases to the highest standards, expand its capacity-building and training activities, and deepen engagement with State officials, law practitioners, organizations, and other interested parties across the region.
Paris is already a prominent venue for ICSID proceedings, with hearings regularly held at the World Bank Group Paris Conference Centre and at facilities of leading institutions with which ICSID has established cooperation agreements. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, 35% of all in-person hearings for ICSID proceedings were held in Paris.
The ICSID Paris Office will be housed at the World Bank Group Paris Office, located at 66 avenue d'Iéna, 75116 Paris.
About ICSID
• ICSID provides services, rules, and facilities for resolving disputes between foreign investors and host States. ICSID is essential to the World Bank Group’s work to accelerate job creation at scale, a strategy focused on investing in the foundational physical and human infrastructure for jobs, supporting a business-friendly environment, and mobilizing private capital.
• ICSID promotes cross-border investment by providing an impartial forum for resolving international investment disputes fairly, efficiently, and conclusively. Access to effective, impartial dispute resolution strengthens investor and State confidence and enhances predictability–core pillars of a favorable investment climate.
• ICSID administers arbitration, conciliation and mediation proceedings under investment contracts, international treaties, and domestic investment laws that refer disputes to ICSID. Arbitration cases are decided by independent tribunals typically appointed by the parties.