Sri Lanka has been elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) for a six-year term starting in January 2025.

The election took place at the UN General Assembly on November 20, 2024, where Sri Lanka, representing the Asia Pacific Group, secured 177 votes—the second-highest overall and within the group.

Other elected members from the Asia Pacific region include Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Japan, and South Korea.

UNCITRAL, established in 1966 and headquartered in Vienna, serves as the primary legal body for harmonizing and modernizing international trade law. Its mandate includes removing trade obstacles and providing technical assistance to member states.

Sri Lanka has previously benefited from UNCITRAL’s model laws, which informed key legislation such as the Sri Lanka Arbitration Act and the Electronic Transactions Act. The country has served on the commission twice before, from 2004–2007 and 2016–2022.