The Chinese government has signed a convention establishing the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), an international mediation body located in Hong Kong. Beijing hopes this new organization will rival the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the world’s leading conflict resolution body.
The convention was signed on Friday in a ceremony attended by representatives from several countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Laos, Cambodia, and Serbia, as well as 20 international bodies, including the United Nations.
According to Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, IOMed’s status would be on par with the UN’s ICJ and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Lee said the organization would bring “substantial” economic benefits and job opportunities to Hong Kong, stimulating sectors such as hospitality and transport.
The IOMed headquarters, due to open by the end of this year or in early 2026, will be located at a former police station in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district.
The establishment of IOMed marks a significant development in global governance, highlighting the value of resolving conflicts in an “amicable way.” As stated in an opinion piece, IOMed would fill a “critical gap in mechanisms focused on mediation-based dispute resolution.”
Hong Kong’s Justice Secretary Paul Lam said IOMed would help the city cope with challenges presented by “hostile external forces” attempting to “de-internationalise and de-functionalise” it.
Lam emphasized the need for Hong Kong to strengthen its position as an international dispute resolution center, leveraging the IOMed headquarters to give full play to its institutional advantages under the “one country, two systems” framework.
With the scope of cases handled by IOMed including disputes between countries, between a country and nationals of another country, and between private international entities, this new organization is poised to play a significant role in global conflict resolution.