Investment Mediation Insights: Second Webinar Series
ICSID’s Investment Mediation Insights webinar series, which debuted in 2021, returned in 2025 with a new installment of practical insights into the growing field of mediation between States and investors.
Investment Mediation – Background & Process
Wednesday October 1, 2025, 9:15 - 10:00 am (EDT)
In this episode, we took a deep dive into mediation at ICSID – when is mediation suitable to resolve an investment dispute? How does the ICSID mediation process work? What are mediator profiles qualifications? What is the general policy landscape for investment mediation? What is happening at UNCITRAL in the investment mediation context and in the context of the Singapore Convention? 
Speakers:
- Frauke Nitschke, Team Leader and Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
- Judith Knieper, Legal Officer, UNCITRAL
Moderator:
- Anna Holloway, Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.
Mediating from the Parties’ perspectives
Wednesday October 22, 2025, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EDT)
In this episode, representatives for States and investors shared their insights on investment mediation: What are factors States have considered when deciding to mediate? When to recommend mediation to the client? In which settings have States and investors chosen to mediate? What aspects need to be put in place to set the stage for mediation – on the State side and on the investor side? How does the role of party representative differ in mediation from arbitration? 
Speakers:
- Amal Bouchenaki, Partner, Herbert Smith
- Eric Franco, Managing Partner, Legal Delta
Moderator:
- Frauke Nitschke, Team Leader and Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.
Repaso de una mediación en materia de inversiones: reflexiones del inversionista, el Estado y el mediador
Miércoles 19 de noviembre, 2025, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EST)
Este episodio en español presentó el estudio de un caso de mediación en Ecuador, con representantes del inversionista, el Estado y el mediador. Durante la conversación, los ponentes reflexionaron sobre el inicio, la evolución y el resultado del proceso de mediación. La sesión también abordó cómo difiere el rol de los abogados de las partes en la mediación respecto al arbitraje y exploró las consideraciones que llevaron a las partes a elegir la mediación para resolver su disputa. 
Ponentes:
- Rodrigo Constantine Sambrano, Subprocurador General del Estado de Ecuador
- Ximena Bustamante, Socia, Pactum, Dispute Resolution Consulting
- Edgar Neira Orellana, Socio, Gallegos Valarezo & Neira-ILP GLOBAL
Moderadora:
- Daniela Argüello, Consejera Jurídica Sénior, CIADI
Más información | Vea la grabación de la sesión aquí.
Success Stories - A Conversation with Investment Mediators
Wednesday December 3, 2025, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EST)
This episode convened a panel of seasoned mediators with experience mediating investor-State disputes. Our panelists shared insights into investment mediation practice and shared practical notes for counsel and parties, including advocacy. 
Speakers:
- Birgit Sambeth, Partner, Altenburger Ltd
- George Lim, Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre
Moderator:
- Frauke Nitschke, Team Leader and Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.
A Recap of an Investment Mediation – Reflections from the investor, the State and the Mediator
Wednesday December 10, 2025, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EST)
This episode featured a case study of an investment mediation in Lithuania, with representatives from the investors, the State and the mediator reflecting about the mediation process, how it started and evolved, what is different compared to a litigious approach, and how a sustainable outcome was achieved. 
Speakers:
- Tomasz Podkowiński, Legal Counsel, Budimex
- Karolis Gudas, Partner, MARSUS
- Bill Marsh, Independent Mediator
Moderator:
- Frauke Nitschke, Team Leader and Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.
Investment Mediation and Arbitration—Complements or Opposites?
Wednesday January 21, 2026, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EST)
Parties and their counsel have a range of processes to choose from to resolve international investment disputes. While much information is available about international arbitration, there is comparatively limited information in the public domain about investment mediation. In this episode, our panelists explored when each process might be most suitable and whether the two should be viewed as distinct tools or combined—either in tandem or sequentially. 
Speakers:
- Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler, partner, Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler
- Michael McIlwrath, founder, MDisputes Srl
Moderator:
- Frauke Nitschke, Team Leader and Senior Legal Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.
Best Practices in Investment Dispute Management
March 18, 2026, 9:15 – 10:00 am (EDT)
This episode highlighted concepts and approaches to investment conflict management at the domestic level, before dispute settlement clauses are invoked and formal arbitration proceedings are commenced. What structures could a State put in place to effectively manage conflicts with investors, resolve differences, and retain investment? What is the relationship between investment conflict management and formal representation in an international arbitral proceeding? Our panelists explored these questions and more, providing examples from practice. 
Speakers:
- Fahira Brodlija, RegioTrade, GIZ
- Jadranka Osrečak, State Attorney's Office of the Republic of Croatia
Moderator:
- Frauke Nitschke, Chief Counsel, ICSID
More information | View the session recording here.