The 53rd UIA Annual Congress this year wil be our organisation's biggest event as it will bring together more than a thousand colleagues from all over the world. Globalisation, Tolerance and the Law is one of the main themes we will be addressing during the congress. The first Forum for Africa will take place, which will be aimed at all those who are interested in African issues. This will be another opportunity to strengthen solidarity and tolerance, and to share experiences between professionals, at a time when the world economic imbalance is striking at the roots of these values. Bar leaders from all over the world will be invited to discuss these issues during the International Bar Leaders' Senate organised each year by UIA.