On March 19-20, 2021, CLDP and the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education hosted Iraq’s first International Commercial Arbitration Competition for 5 Iraqi law schools who registered to represent the country in the William C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot later this month in Vienna. The Competition showcased the proficiency of graduating lawyers in the field of international commercial arbitration. Given Iraq's recent ratification of the New York Convention, this national event illustrates the country’s commitment in cultivating a cadre of experts that will champion the use of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The competition is a component of CLDP's Vis Pre-Moot Iraq program, which has graduated over 40 lawyers in the field of international commercial arbitration.