• With more than 5,500 attendees, IBA Toronto was among the most highly attended conferences in the Association’s history.

Toronto, Canada — November 6, 2025. In a historic gathering that brought together over 5,500 lawyers and legal leaders from 130 jurisdictions, Jaime Carey, Senior Partner at Carey and the first Chilean to preside over the International Bar Association (IBA), delivered the opening address of the IBA Annual Conference 2025 in Toronto, marking a turning point in the global conversation about the future of the legal profession.

In his address, Carey urged lawyers worldwide to embrace a renewed legal ethic grounded in courage, independence, and public trust: “We are stewards of institutions, guardians of rights, and intermediaries between power and people. Justice continues to be what holds societies together.”

The IBA president noted that the law is undergoing a profound redefinition: “In a multipolar world, legal norms are being contested. Our duty is not to observe change but to lead it”.

Designed as an intergenerational, diverse, and technology-driven forum, the Toronto program addressed the most urgent issues shaping today’s legal landscape: the ethical regulation of artificial intelligence, climate litigation, disinformation, sustainability, transnational corruption, and the future of next-generation legal leadership.

Carey noted that the IBA is actively developing guidance and convening forums for the ethical and transparent use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that technology strengthens justice rather than undermines it. He also reaffirmed his commitment to a profession that is broader and more representative:

“The legitimacy of the legal profession depends on reflecting the diversity of the societies we serve. Inclusion is not an aspiration; it is an ethical obligation.”

The event featured international figures such as pilot Jeff Skiles, a symbol of leadership under pressure and widely known as the first officer of US Airways Flight 1549, which ditched in the Hudson River after dual engine failure with no loss of life. It also included flagship activities such as the Global Women Litigators Breakfast, reinforcing the organization’s gender and leadership agenda.

Since his appointment, Carey has emphasized that the IBA must remain an independent voice in defense of the Rule of Law and human rights, as well as a platform that connects historically underrepresented regions—especially Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

“The Rule of Law is non-negotiable. The IBA’s mission is to support lawyers and institutions when they are under threat and to maintain an independent voice for justice,” he underscored.

With this vision, Carey seeks to consolidate an IBA that is more open, connected, and proactive in addressing the challenges of the twenty-first century—reinforcing the lawyer’s role as a bridge between law, business, and society.