The world’s leading mediators, government officials, academic experts and legal professionals will gather in Hong Kong on Friday to attend the Global Mediation Summit, exploring topics that include cross-cultural mediation and the global mediation ecosystem.

The daylong event, organized by the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) — the world’s first intergovernmental legal body to resolve international disputes through mediation — will begin at 8:30 am at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

An elite group of speakers, including officials, diplomats and expert in dispute resolution, will share their insights into resolving international disputes, building a global mediation ecosystem, and consolidating the international rule of law.

ALSO READ: Pilot sports dispute resolution program resolves first case

Among the attendees will be Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who will deliver special remarks; Willy Bett, vice-chairperson of the IOMed Governing Council and Kenya’s ambassador to China; and Qi Dahai, director-general of the Treaty and Law Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The summit will consist of three forums, with topics of peace promotion: “The Wisdom of Leading Mediators in Promoting Peace”; “User Perspective: Why Governments and Investors Choose Mediation”; and “Looking at the Future: Building a Global Mediation Ecosystem”.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said that with mediation becomes increasingly acknowledged in resolving international conflicts, this summit will serve as a milestone in reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a regional hub for legal and dispute resolution services, which aligns with Hong Kong's strategic positioning under the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

READ MORE: From policing to peacemaking: A 1930s Hong Kong building's new calling

The IOMed, which officially opened in October as the first intergovernmental body based in Hong Kong, aims at providing friendly, flexible, economical and efficient services to international disputes. Its office is in the historic Old Wan Chai Police Station.

The summit will mark the end of Mediation Week 2026, a flagship legal event organized by the Department of Justice to promote the culture of mediation in different sectors of the society.

Mediation Week, which began Monday, held several seminars featuring legal issues in education, sports, and the elder and community sectors.

Roys Zhang contributed to the story.

Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com