Gender equality: Commission ensures excellence and improves gender balance in trade and investment arbitration

The European Commission has set in place a new system for the appointment of arbitrators, also referred to as adjudicators, to handle disputes under the EU's trade and investment agreements. With this new system we seek to step up enforcement of our trade agreements and to address the lack of gender balance in the EU's existing pool of arbitrators, while ensuring that all arbitrators meet the highest professional and ethical standards.

In addition to these efforts, the Commission has signed up to the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge, which aims to increase the representation of women in international dispute settlement. “We are seeking outstanding and highly-qualified candidates to settle trade disputes. As part of today's call, we have also pledged to improve gender balance in the arbitration community. This Pledge is part of the European Commission's long-standing commitment to gender balance in all areas of work and life – one of our most firmly held values. We will also pay close attention to geographic balance,” said Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. “Securing excellent arbitrators for disputes is part of our overall process of upgrading our trade enforcement tools and mechanisms.” A press release is available online.

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