November 19, 2020 – The International Development Law Organization (IDLO), in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), organized the opening of the Mediation Centre under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova. The Mediation Centre aims to become one of the most prominent players in the mediation market in Moldova by delivering high quality mediation services and training for future and practicing mediators, thus contributing to quicker, cheaper and business-friendly dispute resolution alternatives.

The official opening of the Mediation Centre is part of the project “Moldova: Commercial Mediation and Arbitration (Phase IV)”, which aims to improve the investment climate in Moldova by facilitating the use of commercial mediation and arbitration on a national scale.

Mr Sergiu Harea, President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “Since the establishment of the Mediation Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry we are the organization that supports the business environment and the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to mediate the commercial conflicts they have, now with the renovation of the new office we can come also with initial and continuous quality training services for those who want to be mediators and promote mediation in the Republic of Moldova.”

“It is critical that Moldova attracts sustainable and healthy investment”, mentioned Ljubomir Petruljeskov, IDLO’s Program Lead. “We hope that the New Mediation Centre will become an open space for restoring good relations”, he added.

Mr Dumitru Lefter, Director of the Mediation Center highlighted, “It is indispensable for the Mediation Centre to have an office that corresponds to all international standards for the mediation parties, mediators, students in order to provide the highest quality services in the Republic of Moldova.”

EBRD/IDLO project team is focusing on intense efforts to raise awareness about the use and benefits of mediation and arbitration, providing high-quality training for mediators, judges, lawyers and business people, training future trainers in the area of mediation, strengthening the legal framework and incentives for the use of mediation and arbitration. According to Veronica Bradautanu of EBRD, “With the pandemic raging and courts having reduced capacity to deal with disputes, it is essential to offer parties a fair alternative to resolving their disputes.”

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) is the only intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law. IDLO works to enable governments and empower people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. Its programs, research and policy advocacy cover the spectrum of rule of law from peace and institution building to social

development and economic recovery in countries emerging from conflict and striving towards democracy.

IDLO sees the rule of law as the cornerstone of peace, security, justice and development, as well as an integral part of sustainable development – underpinning social and economic progress and environmental protection with strong institutions and good governance, formal legal frameworks and legal empowerment of people, equal opportunity and equitable access to basic services, and due process and fair outcomes for all.

For further information about IDLO, please visit www.idlo.int

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invests in changing lives. Through EBRD projects, business services and involvement in high-level policy reform, the Bank is doing more than ever before across three continents. EBRD now anticipates committing all its activity in 2020/2021 to helping counter the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

For further information about EBRD, please visit www.ebrd.com USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.

For further information about USAID, please visit https://www.usaid.gov/.

The Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funded by the UK Government’s Good Governance Fund.