stanbul, Türkiye | 30 October 2026

Eng. Mohammad Zahran Hassoneh, a licensed arbitrator and electrical engineer from Palestine, participated virtually in the Second Annual Meeting of the Federation of OIC Arbitration Centres (FOAC), held in Istanbul as part of OIC Arbitration Week 2026. The meeting brought together representatives of arbitration and mediation institutions, international experts, and legal and professional practitioners from several countries.

The meeting provided a platform to discuss strengthening institutional cooperation among arbitration centres across OIC Member States, advancing commercial and investment dispute resolution, and enhancing confidence in regional arbitration institutions.

Discussions also addressed institutional governance, leadership development, professional partnerships, and opportunities for cooperation in specialised arbitration sectors.

Key Topics and Areas of Discussion

The meeting addressed several important priorities and opportunities for future cooperation, including:

• Institutional Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration among national, regional, and international arbitration and mediation centres through joint initiatives and professional partnerships.

• Governance and Leadership: Reviewing the Federation’s institutional development and discussing the establishment of a permanent leadership structure.

• Regional Arbitration and Investment: Enhancing confidence in regional arbitration institutions and promoting effective dispute resolution mechanisms to support investment and cross-border commercial activities.

• Engineering, Construction, and Energy Disputes: Exploring specialised approaches to preventing and resolving disputes involving infrastructure, construction, energy projects, and engineering contracts.

• Artificial Intelligence in Arbitration: Examining the potential of AI-assisted tools to improve document review, case management, and administrative efficiency within arbitration institutions.

• Capacity Building and Professional Development: Promoting specialised training programmes, professional knowledge-sharing, and the development of arbitration and mediation expertise.

• International Cooperation: Encouraging South-South cooperation and strengthening the role of arbitration institutions in supporting economic development and international business relations.

Palestinian Participation and Professional Contribution

During his participation, Eng. Hassoneh highlighted the importance of strengthening Palestinian professional representation in international arbitration initiatives, despite the challenges and travel restrictions affecting professionals in Palestine.

Drawing on his background in electrical engineering and his professional interests in energy, infrastructure projects, arbitration, dispute resolution, and risk management, he expressed his interest in contributing to FOAC’s specialised initiatives and future working groups.

His particular areas of interest include engineering arbitration, electricity and energy-related disputes, contractual risk management, professional training, and capacity building for arbitrators and technical experts.

He also emphasised the importance of integrating technical and engineering expertise with legal and institutional dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance the quality and effectiveness of arbitration practices.

Towards Practical Institutional Cooperation

Eng. Hassoneh highlighted the importance of translating institutional cooperation into practical outcomes through joint professional development programmes, specialised arbitration networks, research collaboration, and knowledge-sharing initiatives among member institutions.

He reaffirmed his willingness to contribute to future FOAC activities and support initiatives aimed at strengthening arbitration capabilities, promoting professional standards, and expanding cooperation among arbitration and mediation institutions across OIC Member States.

This participation reflects a continued commitment to advancing engineering arbitration, fostering international professional cooperation, and strengthening the representation of Palestinian expertise in regional and international dispute resolution platforms.

Eng. Mohammad Zahran Hassoneh
Licensed Arbitrator | Electrical Engineer
Engineering Arbitration | Energy Disputes | Risk Management
Palestine