The International Mediation Institute (IMI) extends its congratulations to Brazil for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also referred to as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation.”
With this formal act, which was effected on 6 August 2025, Brazil became the 19th State Party. The Convention’s provisions will officially enter into force for Brazil on 6 February 2026.
In ratifying the Convention, Brazil made a reservation, pursuant to article 8(1)(a) of the Convention, to exempt Brazil from applying it to agreements resulting from mediation to which the Federative Republic of Brazil, any organ of the Brazilian State or any person acting on behalf of an organ of the Brazilian State are a party.
Brazil’s recent ratification of the Singapore Convention on Mediation represents a longstanding commitment to the advancement of international trade. The Convention provides a uniform and effective mechanism for the enforcement of international settlement agreements resulting from mediation, complementing Brazil’s domestic legislation and further promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
By formally adopting the Convention, Brazil will empower its businesses to confidently resolve cross-border disputes through mediation, ensuring their agreements are legally enforceable abroad. This strategic move will enhance the nation’s standing in international trade law and position Brazil as a global leader in mediation, significantly increasing its attractiveness for foreign investment. (Source: Singapore Convention: New directions for international commercial mediation in Brazil).
For an overview of the benefits and impact of the Convention, you may further consult “A Handbook on the Singapore Convention on Mediation”, available here.
The Convention is open for signature, ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession by States and regional economic integration organizations. As of 10 September 2025, the Convention has 59 Signatories and 19 Contracting Parties. For up-to-date information on the Convention and its status, please visit the Singapore Convention on Mediation website managed by Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA), with the support of Ministry of Law, Singapore.
IMI recently established its Mediation Public Policy Committee with the goal of promoting the integration of mediation into public policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and governmental practices on a global scale. Among its initial projects, the Committee is tasked with providing more structured support to the further understanding and adoption of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, a project which IMI has supported and co-created.
To learn more about the Committee’s mission and primary objectives, please review the full announcement and read the Terms of Reference.
This article provides great news about Brazil ratifying the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Its exciting to see more countries embracing mediation, but I wonder how the reservation Brazil made will impact the conventions effectiveness.