Washington D.C., February 6, 2026——Member states of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) elect Gabriela Alvarez Avila as Vice PresidentSecretary-General。

The ICSID Administrative Committee confirmed Ms. Alvarez's appointment through a resolution on February 2, 2026. She was nominated by Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group and Chair of the ICSID Executive Committee, and underwent an international recruitment process.

Ms. Á lvarez is of Mexican nationality and has over 25 years of experience in investor state dispute resolution and international commercial arbitration. She began her international arbitration career at ICSID in 2000. She was promoted to senior lawyer and served as a court secretary in multiple cases until 2007. Subsequently, she joined Curtis, Mallet Prevost, Colt& Mosle Law Firm, serving as a legal advisor, became a partner in 2008. In 2017, she was appointed as a member of the ICSID panel of arbitrators by Mexico. In July 2021, Ms. Á lvarez joined DLA Piper law firm as a partner and co leader of the Latin American arbitration practice group. She was appointed as a member of the Arbitration Court of the International Criminal Court of Mexico in 2021 and re elected for a second term in 2024. She is proficient in English, French, and Spanish.

We are pleased to welcome Gabriela back to ICSID as Vice PresidentSecretary-General，”ICSIDSecretary-GeneralMartina Polacek said. She has profound expertise in international investment law and dispute resolution - providing advice to countries, investors, and state-owned enterprises under ICSID and non ICSID rules, and serving as an arbitrator - and she will provide leadership in key operational areas. I look forward to working closely with Gabriela to drive our priority of achieving world-class case management and continuously improving the efficiency and innovation of ICSID procedures and services

Ms. Alvarez said, 'I am honored to return to work at ICSID as Deputy Secretary General.'. I look forward to working together with Martina and the entire team to advance ICSID's outstanding mission in the field of international investment dispute resolution. It is my honor to contribute to the organization's goals, and I am eager to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to support ICSID's continuous innovation and serve the global community

Ms. Alvarez's term as Deputy Secretary General will begin on April 6, 2026.

clickhereView the profile of Gabriela Alvarez Avila.