The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) has opened its Asia-Pacific Liaison Office in Hong Kong, establishing its first office outside its headquarters in Rome in the organisation’s 100-year history.
The opening ceremony took place on 2 November 2026 as Hong Kong Legal Week began. It was followed by a regional conference marking UNIDROIT’s centenary, which received more than 700 registrations from over 40 countries or regions, according to the Hong Kong government.
What UNIDROIT does
UNIDROIT is an independent intergovernmental organisation based in Rome. It studies ways to modernise and harmonise private law, particularly commercial law, and develops legal instruments, principles and rules intended to support that work across countries and regions.
The organisation’s General Assembly decided in December 2025 to establish the Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government and UNIDROIT signed a memorandum on the administrative arrangements for the office in March 2026. Department of Justice
A regional base for legal cooperation
The Hong Kong government says the liaison office will provide a platform for dialogue with governments on the development and implementation of UNIDROIT’s legal instruments. It is also intended to support collaboration with universities, arbitration and mediation bodies, financial institutions and other stakeholders.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said the office would provide a platform for developing international private law in the Asia-Pacific. He also pointed to the potential for cooperation with other legal organisations represented at Hong Kong’s legal hub, including the Hague Conference on Private International Law’s regional office and the Department of Justice’s project office for collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. Hong Kong government
Part of Hong Kong Legal Week
Hong Kong Legal Week runs from 2 to 6 November 2026. Organised by the Department of Justice, the programme brings together legal professionals, policymakers, academics and business representatives to discuss subjects including international legal cooperation, dispute resolution and legal technology. Department of Justice
