（Singapore, 02.06.2025） Initiated by China, the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was officially established on 30 May 2025. It is the world’s first inter-governmental organization dedicated to international mediation, with 33 countries signing the Convention on its establishment as founding members.
The signing ceremony attracted senior representatives from over 80 countries and 20 international organizations, including the United Nations, underscoring broad global support for the initiative.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the ceremony and signed the Convention on behalf of China. Wang described the IOMed as an innovative step in the international rule of law and a significant development in the history of global governance. He also emphasized Hong Kong’s role, calling the city’s handover a model of peaceful dispute resolution and citing the success of the “one country, two systems” principle as a foundation for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, thanked the Central Government for its unwavering support and the international community for their confidence in Hong Kong. Lee stressed that the IOMed would provide a much-needed platform for countries, regardless of cultural, linguistic, or legal differences, to resolve disputes through mutual respect and understanding.
In his speech, Lee underscored Hong Kong’s unique position as the only common law jurisdiction within China, and the only city globally offering a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. He highlighted Hong Kong’s long tradition of the rule of law and independent judicial power, as well as its status as the most preferred seat for arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region.
Lee also announced that the IOMed headquarters would be located at the historic Wan Chai Police Station, a Grade 2 heritage building currently under renovation, and could open its doors as early as the end of this year. He expressed Hong Kong’s commitment to supporting the IOMed’s mission of promoting peace and resolving international disputes through dialogue and cooperation.
“Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls,” Lee said. “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of being both a part of China and a globally connected city.”
