On 15 November 2024, an international arbitration conference was held in Sofia, organized by the Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). Ana Smilevska participated as a panelist, representing the Permanent Court of Arbitration attached to the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia.

The main theme of this year’s conference was Legal Aspects of the Digitalization of Activities of Permanent Arbitration Institutions and Arbitration Proceedings. Discussions also covered the impact of artificial intelligence on arbitration systems through the use of digital tools for communication, including video conferencing, email correspondence, specialized document exchange software, and e-delivery systems, all aimed at improving arbitration processes. Participants had the opportunity to discuss the challenges and advantages of applying digital technology in arbitration proceedings.

The conference was opened by the BCCI President, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov. Presentations were delivered by representatives from the Bulgarian Arbitration Court, the Vienna Arbitration Centre, the Arbitration Court of Ukraine, eminent judges, Bulgarian attorneys, and legal experts specializing in arbitration procedures.

During her presentation, the PCA Secretary General Ana Smilevska elaborated on the first fully online arbitration procedure conducted during the pandemic, emphasizing the adoption of e-delivery systems, remote hearings for witnesses and experts, and issuing digital awards. These initiatives significantly reduced the length and cost of arbitration proceedings.

In the subsequent discussions, participants agreed that digital tools could greatly enhance the efficiency of arbitration procedures. They emphasized that artificial intelligence, the adoption of new technologies, and digitalization have the potential to accelerate arbitration processes, reduce the need for in-person meetings, enable rapid document exchanges, and lower procedural costs.