The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today to strengthen their co-operation on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Waleed Mohammed Alsmani signed the MOU at a ceremony held in the Hong Kong Legal Hub.

The MOU provides a framework for the Hong Kong SAR and Saudi Arabia to strengthen collaboration, communication and co-operation between them on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution, and to facilitate development of the related services in the two jurisdictions.

It is expected that both places will benefit from the enhanced co-operation under the pact.

This is the first MOU of the same nature that the Hong Kong SAR has with a Middle East jurisdiction, which signifies the commitment to enhance the growing ties between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and foster closer relationships between legal and dispute resolution professions of both sides.

The MOU, which is the fifth after Japan, Korea, Thailand and Brunei, will further promote Hong Kong's status as a major centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region and foster exchanges in regions along the Belt & Road.

The DoJ will continue to pursue and conclude co-operation or partnership arrangements with other jurisdictions and international organisations.

It is planning to visit the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, next month to meet with local legal and business sectors, and to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.

Mr Lam indicated that the DoJ is now taking forward the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy which will provide a further platform for co-operation and exchanges between the Hong Kong SAR and Saudi Arabia under the MOU.

Also today, the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his delegation visited the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, and the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office at the Hong Kong Legal Hub.