Hong Kong has become the headquarters for the world’s first intergovernmental legal body dedicated to international mediation. On Friday, representatives from 32 countries gathered in the city to sign the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), marking a significant step towards peaceful resolution of global disputes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the ceremony, expressing his congratulations to the founding member states. “We are here to advance the peaceful resolution of disputes and foster friendly cooperation among nations,” Wang said. He highlighted that prior to the IOMed, there was no intergovernmental organization specifically focused on mediating international disputes.
The IOMed aims to mediate disputes on a voluntary basis between states, between states and foreign investors, and in international commercial disagreements. “This organization fills an important gap in global governance and will serve as a crucial public good for the rule of law,” Wang added.
Hong Kong’s unique blend of common law and civil law traditions makes it an ideal location for the IOMed’s headquarters. Wang emphasized that the city’s unparalleled strengths in international mediation will complement the organization’s growth. “We believe that the IOMed will grow together with Hong Kong,” he stated.
The organization is expected to commence operations by early 2026. Wang called on all signatory countries to ratify the convention promptly and welcomed more nations to join the initiative.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by high-level representatives from over 50 countries and nearly 20 international organizations, including the United Nations. Later on Friday, the Global Forum on International Mediation will host discussions on various topics, such as mediation of disputes between states and between states and foreign investors.
