UNCITRAL Launches Global Essay Competition for Its 60th Anniversary, Top 10 Authors to Present in Vienna
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has launched a Global Essay Competition as it marks its 60th anniversary in 2026. The competition invites researchers from diverse disciplines to offer fresh perspectives on the future of international trade law.
Organisers are looking for original research that examines the impact of UNCITRAL texts and explores innovative ways to address emerging challenges in international trade law. Submissions that connect law with economics, technology and other fields are particularly encouraged. The theme is "From Foundations to Frontiers: UNCITRAL's Role in Shaping Tomorrow's Trade Law".
The competition is open to researchers from all disciplines who have an interest in international trade law. Entries must be endorsed by a university or institution, and can be written in any of the six official languages of the United Nations. The word limit is 10,000 words, and the deadline for submissions is 31 December 2026. Entries should be emailed to uncitral60@un.org with the subject line "Global Essay Competition".
The ten selected authors will get the chance to present their research at the UNCITRAL Commission session in Vienna in June or July 2027. Their essays will also be published as part of UNCITRAL's 60th-anniversary documentation, and each will receive an offer for a visiting scholarship at the UNCITRAL secretariat.
According to the organisers, the competition gives researchers a chance to contribute to the evolving discussion on international trade law and help shape its future through original, forward-looking scholarship. Further details are available on the official competition webpage and in the FAQ flyer.
Source: SCC Times