BEIJING: The inauguration ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday, attended by nearly 200 representatives from over 30 contracting and signatory states to the IOMed Convention, as well as from various sectors of HKSAR.
Some experts from the city’s legal field believe that the official launch of the IOMed marks a milestone moment, representing a new opportunity for the city and a new chapter for the rule of law.
It not only opens a fresh avenue for resolving international disputes, but also demonstrates China’s commitment to promoting the rule of law on the global stage, they noted.
Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, who attended the ceremony, said the IOMed had achieved the signing, entry into force, and official launch within just five months, a pace “rare in the history of international organization development,” according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
This achievement reflects that the IOMed is in line with the global trend and receives broad international support.
The vision of the IOMed highly aligns with the Global Governance Initiative as it upholds the principles of reconciliation, cooperation, and harmony, adheres to fairness and justice, and embraces a spirit of consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits, Hua said at the ceremony.
By advocating a people-centered and pragmatic approach, the IOMed will inject positive energy of the rule of law into building a community with a shared future for mankind, while also helping Hong Kong develop as a ‘capital of mediation’.”
In these times of global instability, international mediation is indispensable for resolving disputes, preserving relationships and encouraging meaningful cooperation, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday at the ceremony. “With our world-class professional services, Hong Kong is dedicated to supporting the cause of dispute resolution,” Lee said.
He also called the inauguration on Monday “a testament of our shared commitment to a future in which dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect prevail over acrimony and conflict.”
According to the IOMed Convention signed in May, the functions of the IOMed are to provide mediation services for resolving international disputes. It will also promote the use of mediation in dispute resolution, to develop the culture of mediation, and to explore and promote best practices of mediation.
In addition, the organization plans to organize international, regional, national, and local forums and conferences on mediation, building a platform for communication and information sharing. It will promote cooperation for capacity building in the area of mediation, recognizing and giving priority to the need of developing countries. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
