Maxwell Lectures with Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID

Maxwell Lectures with Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID |
28 August 2026

This year, we have the pleasure to host Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID, at our Maxwell Lectures during Singapore Convention Week 2026.

Martina Polasek was appointed Secretary-General of ICSID in 2024. In this role, she leads a diverse team of over 70 legal, finance, and information technology specialists at the world’s leading institution for resolving international investment disputes. As a Vice-President of the World Bank Group, Ms. Polasek also works with the WBG’s senior management team to ensure the five institutions of the Bank – IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID, work in concert to achieve the WBG’s vision and mission.

With over 25 years of experience in the field of international investment law and dispute settlement, Ms. Polasek frequently speaks and publishes on this exceptionally dynamic area of international law.

Prior to assuming the role of Secretary-General, Ms. Polasek served as Deputy-Secretary General and Team Leader/Senior Legal Counsel at ICSID.

A dual Czech and Swedish citizen, she is fluent in Czech, Swedish, French, and English.

Don’t miss the chance to gain insights from Martina, as she shares perspectives from the forefront of global investment law and the evolving international dispute resolution landscape. Seats are limited — so register early to be part of the conversation!

Q&A from the Lecture:

Q1: What are the potential challenges in the future for issuing arbitral awards? Are there any changes in environment or technology that may mitigate or worsen these challenges?

Q2: What aspects of arbitration are ready for AI?

Q3: What do you think are the key issues that need to be considered when using technology?

Q4: About diversity, I notice that the ICC now has an almost 50/50 male/female mix. Is this too fast and too artificial?

Q5: For operating with ICC arbitration, since the publishing of the ICC arbitration rules 2021 in the year of 2021, which part of the arbitration rules 2021 would ICC suggest multi-national companies, future expert witnesses, future party representatives and future arbitrators to pay attention to as per ICC’s observation so far?

Q6: What would ICC like expert witnesses, party representatives, and arbitrators to do (and prepare themselves) in order to operate ICC arbitration in line with ICC’s vision?

Watch the full recorded session below:

Category	Fee (SGD)
YouTube Livestreaming Ticket	Free
Zoom Webinar Ticket	$30*

Attendance Policy

Participants who wish to obtain CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy set out in the CPD Guidelines. For participants attending the face-to-face activity, this includes signing in on arrival and signing out at the conclusion of the activity in the manner required by the organiser, and not being absent from the activity for more than 15 minutes. For those participating via the webinar, this includes logging in at the start of the webinar and logging out at the conclusion of the webinar in the manner required by the organiser, and not being away from the activity for more than 15 minutes. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the activity. Please refer to https://www.silecpdcentre.sg for more information.

Practice Area: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Training Category: General

Earn 1 Public
CPD Point

Terms & Conditions

1) Registration – Limited slots are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

2) Cancellations and refunds – Tickets are non-refundable, but it is transferable to another individual, just kindly inform us on their details for registration purposes. Ticket transfers may be arranged up to 3 days before the event.

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The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or alter the content and timing of the programme or the identity of the speakers.

Speaker

Martina Polasek

Prior to assuming the role of Secretary-General, Ms. Polasek served as Deputy-Secretary General and Team Leader/Senior Legal Counsel at ICSID.

A dual Czech and Swedish citizen, she is fluent in Czech, Swedish, French, and English.