Ethiopia has become one of the 33 founding members that participated in the historic signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
The signing ceremony of IOMed was held jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC and the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HGSAR) in Honk Kong on May 30,2025.
A total of 33 countries from across the globe have signed the convention, with the highest representation coming from Africa, where 15 nations including Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritania, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
By the same token, Asia follows with six signatories: China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, and East Timor. In Latin America and the Caribbean five countries, namely Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have signed the convention, while Europe’s participation includes Belarus and Serbia. The Oceania/Pacific region is represented by five nations: Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Wang YI, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Foreign Minister attended the ceremony, signed the Convention on behalf of China and delivered a keynote speech.
Representatives of States and International Organizations, former political figures, internationally renowned experts and practitioners attended the forum and shared their views on mediation of state-to-state, international investment and commercial disputes.
During a recent press briefing on the convention, Dr. James Ding a law officer (International Law) at Hong Kong‘s Department of Justice said mediation is an important means of peaceful settlement of international disputes enshrined in the UN Charter by resolving disputes through dialogue and consultations with mutual benefits.
Recognizing the value of mediation in fostering peace and development and the strong call by the international community to establish an intergovernmental organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), together with other like-minded states which embrace the principles of discussion and co-development initiated the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (“IOMed”).
He went on to say that in 2022, the PRC signed the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the IOMed (“Joint Statement”) with a number of interested States. With the staunch support from the Central People’s Government, the IOMed Preparatory Office was established in Hong Kong in early 2023 pursuant to the Joint Statement. The Preparatory Office was established to carry out the Preparatory work and conduct the negotiation of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (“the convention”).
The Preparatory Office conducted five sessions of the negotiation of the Convention in 2023 and 2024. During the negotiation conducted in early 2024, the negotiating parties unanimously decided that after the establishment of the IOMed, the PRC will be the host country and the IOMed Headquarters will situate at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) of the PRC. Upon the adoption and entry into force of the Convention, the headquarters of the IOMed will be formally established in the HKSAR. At the Fifth session of the Negotiation, it was also decided that the signing ceremony for the Convention will be held in Hong Kong in 2025.
He underscored that because of negotiations by a number of states from different continents representing the Global South and more than two billion people across the globe, IOMed is an important global public good, underpinned by the rule of law, founded because of the contribution made by developing counties to the International Society. The IOMed will increase the participation and representation of developing countries in international dispute settlement and advance the development of the global governance system.
The IOMed will be the first inter-governmental legal organization specializing in resolving international disputes by way of mediation. It will be an important mechanism to implement the stipulation under the United Nations Charter that international disputes should be resolved peacefully by way of mediation. After its establishment, the IOMed will provide amicable, flexible, economical and effective mediation services, fostering Hong Kong as an international hub for mediation while resonating the development of the HKSAR as an international legal dispute resolution services centre in the Asian-Pacific region under the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
He noted that the IOMed Headquarters to be established in Hong Kong will undoubtedly strengthen the city’s position as an international legal and dispute resolution services center and mark the first time for headquarters of an international intergovernmental organization to be hosted in Hong Kong.
The IOMed will also become the first and only international intergovernmental organization specializing in mediation for resolution of international disputes on par with the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which specialize in other means of dispute resolution. Therefore, the establishment of the IOMed Headquarters in Hong Kong would significantly raise the international profile of Hong Kong as a “capital” for mediation in the world, attracting dispute parties, mediators, lawyers and other Professionals to Hong Kong for the purpose of mediation.
He made it clear that the HKSAR Government carries forward the site conversion of the IOMed headquarters (i.e the Old Wan Chai Police Station). The conversion is expected to substantially complete by mid-2025 and the opening of the headquarters may take place by the end of 2025 at the earliest.
The Old Wan Chai Police Station is a Grade-2 historical building and a landmark architecture in the central business district. Setting up the headquarters in the Old Wan Chai Police Station accentuates the special international status of the IOMed and can cater the operational need of the organization. This also fosters the conservation and revitalization of the OLD Wan Chai Police Station, reflecting the determination of the HKSAR Government to preserve and revitalize historical buildings.
He elaborated, saying mediation is a future-looking alternative dispute resolution mechanism that fosters understanding and collaboration. With the establishment of its headquarters in Hong Kong, the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) provides friendly, flexible, economical, and efficient media services for international disputes positioning Hong Kong at the forefront of mediation.
“Mediation First: Connecting the future” — Hong Kong, as a world-class mediation hub and capital of mediation, is set to promote mediation as the first step for resolving disputes connecting everyone on local, regional, and global scales.
Reliable Legislative Framework: Hong Kong’s robust legal framework lays a solid foundation for effect mediation practices that align with international standards, making Hong Kong an ideal destination for mediation.
Home to renowned organizations and skilled talent: Hong Kong’s unique blend of eastern and western culture fosters a vibrant ecosystem of esteemed talent. The establishment of the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong demonstrates the city’s unique advantages and opportunities in international mediation. Professionals from diverse backgrounds bring a wealth of experience in handling local, cross-border and international disputes.
Reliable Legislative Framework: Hong Kong’s robust legal framework lays a solid foundation for effective mediation practices that align with international standards making Hong Kong an ideal destination for mediation.
Super-Connector Bridging Mainland China and the Global Markets: The National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline Development Plan For the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area clearly set out Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as a Centre For International Legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. Leveraging its advantageous geographic and economic position, Hong Kong actively engages in high-level exchanges and cooperation with the Mainland including through the Greater Bay Area Mediation Platform which promotes the broader use of mediation in the region and reinforces Hong Kong’s status as a bridge between Mainland China and the World.
He emphasised that the government will launch a two-year pilot scheme on community mediation this year to provide mediation training for community workers. The scheme will enable their understanding of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution means and equip them with the medication skills needed in their daily work, so that they can early intervention for community dispute. The scheme will enhance public members’ awareness of mediation, promote and empower the public to apply mediations skills to resolve daily disputes.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025
