On 14 to 17 October 2024, the fifth session of the Elaboration of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation was held in the Hong Kong SAR, China, where delegations successfully concluded the Convention and decided to hold the Signing Ceremony of the Convention in Hong Kong in 2025.
The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will be the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation. It will be a key mechanism to apply mediation as a peaceful means to settle international disputes enshrined in the UN Charter with a view to win-win cooperation between the parties, and is of great importance to improving global governance and promoting world peace and the stability of the international order.
Initiated jointly by 19 countries including China, the IOMed is an international public good on the rule of law contributed by developing countries. It will provide mediation services for inter-state disputes, disputes between a State and a national of another State, and international commercial disputes submitted by mutual consent. Leveraging the unique advantages of mediation as a more flexible, cost-effective, convenient and well-implemented means, it offers a new option to all countries for party-owned and efficient resolution of international disputes.
In 2022, China and like-minded countries concluded the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. In February 2023, the IOMed Preparatory Office was inaugurated in the Hong Kong SAR to coordinate the Elaboration of the IOMed Convention. Moving forward, China will work together with all participating countries for a quick entry into force of the Convention and an early establishment of the IOMed.
Link: https://www.mfa.gov.cn/web/wjbxw_673019/202412/t20241217_11494969.shtml