The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is set to open its first staffed office outside Washington, DC, in Singapore, following the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Singapore Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and ICSID on August 25, an official news release stated.
This new development marks an important step in strengthening the administration of investment dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Letter of Intent was signed by Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong, and ICSID Secretary-General Martina Polasek during the Singapore Convention Week 2025.
The new ICSID Singapore Office will act as a regional hub, supporting the management of ICSID cases, enhancing capacity-building efforts, and fostering closer engagement with government officials, legal practitioners, and organisations both in Singapore and across neighbouring countries.
Located at the World Bank Group Singapore Office at 10 Marina Boulevard, the ICSID Singapore Office will join four other World Bank Group organisations that already operate in the city-state, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
Singapore's Ministry of Law and ICSID signed a letter of intent today to formalize the establishment of the ICSID Singapore Office, the first of its kind.
— ICSID (@icsid) August 25, 2025
Read the joint press release: https://t.co/pGMvt5KKKw
Photos: @minlawsg #SCWeek2025 pic.twitter.com/mK6CMG6ch9
Additionally, ICSID will keep satellite premises at Maxwell Chambers Suites, a dedicated dispute resolution complex known for hosting international arbitration institutions and related services.
Minister Tong remarked, “ICSID is the world’s leading institution dedicated to international investment dispute settlement. We are honoured that ICSID has chosen Singapore for its first staffed office outside of its headquarters. We warmly welcome ICSID to our growing ecosystem, where it will join other international dispute resolution institutions, adding to Singapore’s service offerings, and increasing access to ICSID’s services in this region.”
Appreciating the Singapore government, Polasek said, “We are grateful to the Government of Singapore for working with ICSID on this initiative, the first of its kind. This milestone reflects Singapore and ICSID’s shared commitment to fostering favourable investment climates through innovation and collaboration in international dispute settlement. Establishing an office in Singapore will enable ICSID to more effectively meet the needs of our clients and stakeholders in the region, particularly through enhanced capacity building, outreach, and case administration. I see significant opportunities to support investors and States in the region with dispute resolution, especially by advancing mediation as a valuable tool.”
ICSID’s main objective is to promote foreign investment by providing a neutral and dependable forum for resolving disputes between investors and States. It offers a specialised legal framework and expertise to resolve investment disputes in a fair, efficient, and final manner. As part of the World Bank Group’s five organisations, ICSID currently has 158 Contracting States as of 2025.
Singapore became a Contracting Member State when it ratified the ICSID Convention on 14 October 1968. Since then, the country has appointed Singaporean lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators to the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Panel of Conciliators. These professionals are available for selection by parties involved in ICSID Tribunals, Conciliation Commissions, and ad hoc Committees.
This new ICSID Singapore Office is expected to boost the city-state’s position as a leading centre for international dispute resolution and further support the region’s needs in investment dispute prevention and settlement.
