Meet IOMed, China's global mediation body for conflict resolution
3 Min Read
With backing from over 30 nations, China’s new mediation body aims to reshape global dispute resolution and strengthen Hong Kong’s role in international legal diplomacy.
-
Tourists walk past a mural depicting a Chinese dragon along the Wangfujing mall street in Beijing, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (AP)
China has officially launched a new international mediation organization, marking a significant expansion of its global diplomatic reach, particularly among countries in the Global South. Backed by over 30 nations, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Belarus, and Cuba, the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was established during a signing ceremony in Hong Kong on Friday.
Representatives from founding states signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi leading the initiative. Describing the new body as the world’s first intergovernmental legal institution dedicated solely to mediation, Wang highlighted China's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution through "mutual understanding and consensus-building."
Wang framed the launch as a contribution of “Chinese wisdom” to international conflict resolution and an alternative to adversarial politics. “The establishment of the International Organization for Mediation helps to move beyond the zero-sum mindset of ‘you lose and I win,’” he stated.
The creation of IOMed reflects Beijing’s broader strategy to position itself as a neutral facilitator in global affairs, particularly at a time when geopolitical tensions, many exacerbated by US trade policies under former President Donald Trump, are reshaping alliances and diplomatic frameworks.
Hong Kong positioned as global legal and mediation hub
Headquartered in Hong Kong, IOMed is expected to strengthen the city’s emerging role in Hong Kong legal diplomacy. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that the organization could become operational by the end of 2025. The launch drew participation from nearly 50 countries and 20 organizations, including representatives from the United Nations, signaling broad global interest.
Legal scholars have noted that IOMed will serve a unique role in the global legal architecture. Yueming Yan, a law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained that while bodies like the International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration focus on adjudication and arbitration, IOMed will institutionalize international dispute mediation at the intergovernmental level.
“This represents a structured, institutionalized form of alternative dispute resolution — namely, mediation — on a global scale,” Yan said, suggesting it could complement more formal litigation channels.
Scope, potential of IOMed’s global mandate
According to Shahla Ali, professor at the University of Hong Kong, IOMed has the potential to mediate between states, between states and foreign nationals, and in cross-border commercial disputes.
She emphasized that international conventions like this one “can provide opportunities to experiment with new approaches,” especially as interest in mediation grows to resolve complex investor-state conflicts.
While operational specifics remain limited, the launch of IOMed positions China at the forefront of a growing movement to resolve international tensions through diplomacy and legal cooperation.
The organization also highlights China’s expanding role in shaping norms of governance and mediation within the Global South.
