33 and counting … Countries rush to join China’s IOMed

A total of 33 countries have signed on-site the China sponsored Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) and more are in line

Hong Kong: A total of 33 countries have signed on-site the China sponsored Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) and more are in line.

The opening ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) which China hopes will rival the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the world’s leading conflict resolution body was held in Hong Kong Friday May 30, 2025.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Hong Kong. Around 400 high-level representatives from 85 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, as well as from nearly 20 international organizations, attended the ceremony, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. But what caught the eyes was the presence of a representative of the United Nations at the inaugural.

“Initiated jointly by 19 countries including China, the IOMed is an international public good on the rule of law contributed by developing countries. It will provide mediation services for inter-state disputes, disputes between a State and a national of another State, and international commercial disputes submitted by mutual consent.

“Leveraging the unique advantages of mediation as a more flexible, cost-effective, convenient and well-implemented means, it offers a new option to all countries for party-owned and efficient resolution of international disputes”, the new forum said in its introduction on its website.

The scope of cases handled by the body would include disputes between countries, between a country and nationals of another country, and between private international entities, as explained in a video screened at the signing ceremony.

The ICJ – the principal judicial organ of the UN, also known as the World Court in The Hague – is currently the top body for solving legal disputes between member states in accordance with international law. It also provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN bodies.

List of IOMeD Members

Beijing plans for the newly formed International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) to cement Hong Kong’s presence as a top global mediation hub, as it hopes to reinforce its waning international credentials, according to Al Jazeera.

The exact number of members has not been officially published. However, from different media reports it turns out the signing countries included Indonesia, Pakistan, Algeria, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, Belarus, Cuba, Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Venezuela and Serbia.

The next in line to sign are Nepal and Bangladesh. Representatives from 20 international bodies including the UN were also expected to participate in the Chinese initiative.

The IOMed headquarters will be located at the site of the former Wan Chai Police Station, once renovation of the Grade 2 historic building is completed.

“I’m happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year,” Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee said while addressing the opening ceremony.

“We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation”, he added.

[Images: Chinese Foreign Ministry]

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