Hong Kong – with its advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle – is committed to and well-positioned to become a global mediation capital, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Friday while addressing the city’s inaugural Global Mediation Summit.
The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, organized the summit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Speaking at the program, Lee said Hong Kong has long supported mediation as a method for resolving disputes, and now, as IOMed's headquarters, it is at the very heart of global dispute resolution and its promising future.
The national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) has expressed support for IOMed, striking a positive note on the city’s role in the peaceful resolution of disputes by mediation, long down the road, he said.
“Our status as a leading financial center and global investment hub is reinforced by our robust rule of law and legal system, the cornerstone of our longstanding success.”
The CE invited governments, companies, investors and others to make optimal use of the mediation services provided by IOMed.
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The number of signatory states of IOMed has climbed from 37 to 41 since last October's inauguration ceremony, and the number of contracting states has risen from eight to 13.
The CE expressed great pleasure to see more than 400 leaders, policymakers and distinguished professionals from 48 countries and regions gathering to share their experience and insights on international mediation at the summit, a key highlight and the concluding event of the city’s first five-day Mediation Week.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, IOMed Secretary-General Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, and Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Cui Jianchun also addressed the summit.
IOMed Governing Council Vice-Chairperson and Kenyan Ambassador to China Willy Bett, and Director General of the Treaty and Law Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qi Dahai delivered keynote speeches.
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The summit features three panel discussion sessions on “The Facilitators of Peace: Wisdom from World-class Mediators”, “The Clients’ Voice: Why States and Investors Choose Mediation” and “Beyond the Horizon: Developing the Global Mediation Ecosystem.”
The IOMed, which officially opened in October as the first intergovernmental body based in Hong Kong, aims to provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient services to international disputes. The IOMed headquarters building was converted from the Old Wan Chai Police Station, a Grade-2 historic building.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
