Discussion on the draft convention on negotiable cargo documents continues at the 46th session of UNCITRAL Working Group VI

This week, from 17 to 21 March, the 46th session of The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) develops conventions, model laws, guidelines, and other instruments in the field of international trade. The main preparatory work is carried out within the framework of Working Groups. UNCITRAL Working Group VI is currently developing a new instrument on negotiable cargo documents.  Working Group VI, in which the ICLRC traditionally participates as an observer, is taking place in New York.

The last session on this issue was held in December last year. The meetings will continue to discuss the provisions of a future instrument on negotiable cargo documents. For the current session, the Secretariat has prepared a document clarifying the relationship of the instrument under development to existing international transport conventions. In addition, several international organizations submitted comments with observations on the draft text.

The ICLRC also sent its proposals to the Working Group. They will be voiced by the Center's representative, Igor Yastrzhembsky, at the New York session. Among other things:

  • It is proposed to abandon the redundant repetition of the terms negotiable cargo document and negotiable cargo record in favor of a single term covering both paper and electronic formats
  • it analyses how the draft convention being developed relates to existing international transport conventions
  • specific proposals on certain articles of the draft convention are also made.

The next session of the Working Group will take place in the summer of this year. It is expected that by the session the text of the draft provisions will be finalized and further submitted to the Commission for approval.