The Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) is pleased to announce that the 11th APMF Conference will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 20-22 January 2027. This prestigious international event will gather judges, mediators, lawyers, academics, policy makers, corporate leaders, and dispute resolution professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond to explore contemporary developments in mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The APMF Sri Lanka conference promises to be a significant platform for discussing the future of mediation.
It gives me immense pleasure, as the current President of the Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF), to warmly invite you to the 11th APMF Conference, which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 20–22 January 2027.
The APMF Conference series has, for over two decades, provided a significant platform for judges, lawyers, mediators, academics, and policymakers to exchange ideas, enhance mediation practices, and foster collaboration across jurisdictions. Our most recent conference, hosted in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in 2024, was a resounding success, drawing a large and diverse group of mediators, judicial officers, legal practitioners, and academics from around the globe. Building on that momentum, we have decided to bring the next APMF Sri Lanka conference to this beautiful island nation.
Sri Lanka serves as an ideal backdrop for this important gathering. With its rich legal heritage, increasing engagement with alternative dispute resolution, and its emergence as a vibrant economic and tourism hub in recent years, Sri Lanka provides both relevance and inspiration for the ongoing advancement of mediation in the region. Hosting this prestigious APMF event in Colombo will unite professionals and thought leaders dedicated to strengthening mediation and promoting effective dispute resolution.
Globally, legal systems and judiciaries are progressively turning to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to provide faster, more affordable, and more accessible justice while alleviating pressures on court systems. Mediation has proven to be a practical, efficient, and humane approach to resolving disputes, especially as conflicts become more complex and cross-border in nature. This mediation conference will offer an invaluable opportunity to share lessons learned, explore emerging trends, and discuss innovations that can shape the future of dispute resolution.
Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and collaborative dialogue, participants will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, generate fresh ideas, and contribute to the foundations of future policy and institutional reform in mediation practice. Our partnership with the Capital Maharaja Group and the Co-Association of Corporate Lawyers Sri Lanka reflects a strong shared commitment to advancing mediation and fostering meaningful regional collaboration.
I warmly invite you to join us in Colombo for what promises to be an engaging, insightful, and memorable APMF conference. Together, let us continue to advance mediation as an essential pillar of modern justice systems and strengthen cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
I look forward to welcoming you to Sri Lanka.
Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi CBE
President
Asia Pacific Mediation Forum
