UNCITRAL invites researchers across disciplines to submit essays on the future of international trade law for its 60th anniversary global essay competition.
About UNCITRAL
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026. Established in 1966, UNCITRAL works towards harmonising and modernising international trade law to support global commerce.
As part of its anniversary initiatives, the UNCITRAL Secretariat has launched a global essay competition to encourage research on the impact of UNCITRAL texts and innovative ideas for the future development of international trade law.
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About the Opportunity
The UNCITRAL Global Essay Competition invites original research under the theme “From Foundations to Frontiers: UNCITRAL’s Role in Shaping Tomorrow’s Trade Law”.
The competition seeks contributions examining the social and economic impact of UNCITRAL texts and proposing forward-looking approaches to international trade law. Interdisciplinary perspectives connecting law with economics, technology and other relevant fields are encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
- Researchers from all disciplines with an interest in international trade law may participate.
- Submissions must be endorsed by a university or recognised research institution.
- Essays may be submitted in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
- Submissions must not exceed 10,000 words.
Evaluation and Awards
Essays will be evaluated by a panel comprising current and former members of the UNCITRAL Secretariat and professors with expertise in international trade law.
The ten winning authors will be invited to present their essays during the UNCITRAL Commission session in Vienna in June or July 2027. Their essays will be published as part of the UNCITRAL 60 documentation, and they will be offered a visiting scholarship at the UNCITRAL Secretariat.
Deadline
The deadline for submitting essays is 31 December 2026.
Contact
Email: uncitral60@un.org
Application Procedure
Eligible researchers should email their essay to uncitral60@un.org with the subject line “Global Essay Competition”. Submissions must be endorsed by a university or recognised research institution and must be sent before 31 December 2026.
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