Official chairs of the PCA’s Contracting Parties

One of the most emblematic sights in the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) Administrative Council Chamber is the set of 124 specially designed chairs for the representatives of the PCA’s Contracting Parties – one for each of the Court’s 124 Contracting Parties.

The chairs are used during sessions and meetings of the PCA’s Administrative Council, which is the governing body responsible for the Court’s administration and oversight. The chairs are not only functional but also serve as significant symbols of international cooperation and representation: each chair is adorned with the coat of arms of one of the PCA’s Contracting Parties, reflecting its diverse membership and ensuring that every nation is visibly represented during official proceedings.

This symbolic representation of the PCA’s Contracting Parties in its Administrative Council Chamber underscores the Court’s role as a global forum for arbitration and dispute resolution among nations, ensuring that each Contracting Party has a seat at the table, both literally and figuratively.