The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission and the BRICS Initiative

Advancing a Global Arbitration Agenda

Abstract

The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) has played a central role in the modernization and internationalization of commercial arbitration in China since its establishment in 1995. Strategically located within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, GZAC has positioned itself as one of the country’s leading arbitral institutions, ranking first nationally in case volume and sectoral diversity. Through innovative digital platforms and the establishment of specialized arbitration courts, GZAC has set a precedent in efficiency, technological integration, and accessibility in arbitration proceedings. Within the BRICS framework, GZAC stands out as a key institutional actor, spearheading the BRICS Joint Arbitration Center Mechanism in collaboration with prominent institutions from Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa. The 2025 Moscow meeting of the International Expert Committee marked a milestone in advancing multipolar legal governance, emphasizing cooperation, digital transformation, and capacity-building. This report details GZAC’s historical development, its institutional mission, and its strategic influence in shaping a global arbitration agenda under BRICS leadership. The document emphasizes how GZAC’s initiatives could help build a multipolar arbitration system that addresses current economic and legal challenges.