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Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Hong Kong-headquartered International Mediation Body Established
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 May 2025 – International mediation marked a significant milestone yesterday (May 30) with the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The IOMed, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is the world's first inter-governmental international legal organisation devoted to the use of mediation in resolving international disputes. More than 80 countries and about 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, sent senior representatives to Hong Kong to witness the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, attended the Signing Ceremony and was the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Altogether, 33 countries signed the Convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations. The IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, whose handover is itself a success story of peaceful settlement of international disputes. He added that the success of the 'one country, two systems' principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, speaks at the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation and is the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, thanked the Central Government for its staunch support of Hong Kong, and the international community for placing their trust and confidence in the city. ADVERTISEMENT 'The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding,' Mr Lee said. 'This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions.' Mr Lee underscored that the IOMed reflected a shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations. HKSAR's Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the signing ceremony. The Chief Executive also set out Hong Kong's advantages as an effective 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' and said the city would actively promote the IOMed's valuable work in settling international disputes through mediation. 'Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls,' Mr Lee said. 'Under our unique 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. 'We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. We have a long tradition of the rule of law, and our courts exercise their judicial power independently.' ADVERTISEMENT With a robust, efficient and well-respected legal system as well as world-class legal and dispute resolution services professionals, Hong Kong is also the most preferred seat for arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region. The IOMed headquarters will be located at the site of the former Wan Chai Police Station, once renovation of the Grade 2 historic building is completed. 'I'm happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year,' said Mr Lee. 'We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation.' Representatives from over 30 countries, including China and countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, jointly signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30. In the afternoon, the Global Forum on International Mediation discussed topics such as mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes and the contributions that the IOMed can make. Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #mediation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
China launches IOMed global mediation as alternative to ICJ, UN court
China on Friday formally established a new international dispute resolution body, the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), positioning it as a global alternative to traditional institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. China's state-run Global Times newspaper described IOMed as the 'world's first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation', stating that it would 'fill a critical gap in mechanisms focused on mediation-based dispute resolution'. IOMed to be headquartered in Hong Kong; offer mediation-only model At a high-level signing ceremony in Hong Kong, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the formal adoption of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation. Indonesia, Pakistan, Belarus, Cuba, and Cambodia were among more than 30 countries who joined China as founding members. Delegates from around 50 countries and 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, were also present. Headquartered in Hong Kong, IOMed is the first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes solely through mediation, according to China's state media. It aims to handle disputes between states, between a state and nationals of another country, and international commercial disagreements, offering a more flexible alternative to traditional legal adjudication or arbitration. Wang Yi emphasised China's long-standing commitment to resolving international issues through dialogue and consensus, rather than confrontation. 'The establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation helps to move beyond the zero-sum mindset of you lose and I win,' Wang said, asserting that the body reflects Chinese diplomatic values and global aspirations for more harmonious conflict resolution. IOMed adds to China's influence in global south With many developing countries backing the initiative, the move adds to China's growing influence in the global south, particularly amid strained relations with the West. Also Read China has also sought to leverage the initiative to reassert Hong Kong's international standing. Once a vibrant financial hub, the city has faced sustained economic stagnation and reputational decline following its return to Chinese rule in 1997 and Beijing's increasing political control in recent years. Despite the ceremonial launch, many operational details of IOMed remain unclear. Questions also persist over its perceived impartiality and credibility, particularly given China's leading role and Hong Kong's current political climate. Nevertheless, Beijing insists that the new body will adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
China forms new global mediation group with dozens of countries
HONG KONG: Dozens of countries joined China on Friday in establishing an international mediation-based dispute resolution group. Representatives of more than 30 other countries, from Pakistan and Indonesia to Belarus and Cuba, signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong to become founding members of the global organisation, following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The support of developing countries signaled Beijing's rising influence in the global south amid heightened geopolitical tensions, partly exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. At a ceremony, Wang said China has long advocated for handling differences with a spirit of mutual understanding and consensus-building through dialogue, while aiming to provide "Chinese wisdom" for resolving conflicts between nations. "The establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation helps to move beyond the zero-sum mindset of you lose and I win,'" he said. The body, headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to help promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and build more harmonious global relations, he said. Beijing has touted the organization as the world's first intergovernmental legal organization for resolving disputes through mediation, saying it will be an important mechanism in safeguarding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It also positioned Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in Asia. Wang said the city's rule of law is highly developed, with the advantages of both common law and mainland Chinese law systems, asserting that it possesses uniquely favorable conditions for international mediation. Hong Kong leader John Lee said the organization could begin its work as early as the end of this year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ceremony was attended by representatives from some 50 other countries and about 20 organizations, including the United Nations. Yueming Yan, a law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the new organisation is a complementary mechanism to existing institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. "While the ICJ and PCA focus on adjudication and arbitration, IOMed introduces a structured, institutionalised form of alternative dispute resolution - namely, mediation - on a global scale," she said. Although many details about the new body are yet to be clarified, it could open the door for greater synergy between formal litigation or arbitration and more flexible methods like mediation, she said. Shahla Ali, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the International Organisation for Mediation would have the capacity to mediate disputes between states, between a state and a national of another state, or in international commercial disputes. "Conventions can provide opportunities to experiment with new approaches," she said, noting rising interest in mediation globally as a means to resolve investor-state disputes.
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
China forms new global mediation body in Hong Kong – DW – 05/30/2025
The convention initiated by Beijing was signed by more than 30 developing countries, signaling China's growing influence in the Global South. China on Friday signed a convention forming a global mediation-based dispute resolution organization in Hong Kong, seeking to grow it in status similar to bodies such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ). More than 30 countries backed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong, including Laos, Cambodia, Serbia, Papua New Guinea and Venezuela. Pakistan, Indonesia, Belarus and Cuba also signed the convention to become founding members of the global organization, following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "The birth of IOMed will help transcend the zero-sum mentality of 'win or lose,' promote the amicable resolution of international disputes, and build more harmonious international relations," Wang said. How Chinese overcapacity threatens emerging economies To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Through the establishment of the organization in Hong Kong, China also aims to solidify the city's credentials as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in Asia. China's growing influence in global politics The move to form the international organization comes amid the US's diminishing presence in global affairs as China seeks to fill the gap left by the US under President Donald Trump. The support for the body by a remarkably high number of developing countries signals Beijing's growing influence in the Global South. Beijing has been steadily increasing its involvement in international affairs over the past few years and expanding its influence in global bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO). Since beginning his term in January, Trump has ordered the US to leave UN bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council and has also decreed a US pullout from the WHO.
3 days ago
- Business
China forms new global mediation group with dozens of countries
HONG KONG -- Dozens of countries joined China on Friday in establishing an international mediation-based dispute resolution group. Representatives of more than 30 other countries, from Pakistan and Indonesia to Belarus and Cuba, signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong to become founding members of the global organization, following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The support of developing countries signaled Beijing's rising influence in the global south amid heightened geopolitical tensions, partly exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. At a ceremony, Wang said China has long advocated for handling differences with a spirit of mutual understanding and consensus-building through dialogue, while aiming to provide 'Chinese wisdom' for resolving conflicts between nations. 'The establishment of the International Organization for Mediation helps to move beyond the zero-sum mindset of 'you lose and I win,'' he said. The body, headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to help promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and build more harmonious global relations, he said. Beijing has touted the organization as the world's first intergovernmental legal organization for resolving disputes through mediation, saying it will be an important mechanism in safeguarding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It also positioned Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in Asia. Wang said the city's rule of law is highly developed, with the advantages of both common law and mainland Chinese law systems, asserting that it possesses uniquely favorable conditions for international mediation. Hong Kong leader John Lee said the organization could begin its work as early as the end of this year. The ceremony was attended by representatives from some 50 other countries and about 20 organizations, including the United Nations. Yueming Yan, a law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the new organization is a complementary mechanism to existing institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. 'While the ICJ and PCA focus on adjudication and arbitration, IOMed introduces a structured, institutionalized form of alternative dispute resolution — namely, mediation — on a global scale,' she said. Although many details about the new body are yet to be clarified, it could open the door for greater synergy between formal litigation or arbitration and more flexible methods like mediation, she said. Shahla Ali, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the International Organization for Mediation would have the capacity to mediate disputes between states, between a state and a national of another state, or in international commercial disputes. 'Conventions can provide opportunities to experiment with new approaches," she said, noting rising interest in mediation globally as a means to resolve investor-state disputes.
