HONG KONG, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Global Forum on International Mediation was convened in Hong Kong on Friday, following the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) earlier.
The occasion gathered leaders of several signatory states of the Convention, heads of international organizations and multilateral institutions, experts in the field of international mediation, and other stakeholders, to delve into topics including state-to-state mediation as well as international investment and international commercial dispute mediation.
They applauded mediation's dual focus on procedural and outcome fairness, describing it as a "win-win" alternative to adversarial legal processes. They also believed that the IOMed would fill a critical gap in global dispute-resolution mechanisms, enhancing both international governance and state-to-state collaboration.
In his keynote address, Paul Lam, secretary for justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, emphasized the principle of peaceful dispute resolution under international law, calling mediation a forward-looking and constructive approach compared to traditional litigation and arbitration.
Lam underscored the selection of Hong Kong as the court's headquarters as a testament to its legal infrastructure, citing Hong Kong's pool of cross-jurisdictional legal talent and track record in international dispute resolution. Hong Kong's common law system and reputation for efficiency position it as a global hub for legal services, he said, adding that it would leverage this role to expand mediation services and attract more member states.
Indonesia's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno praised the convention's timing, calling it a response to global demand for cooperative conflict resolution. He highlighted gaps in current international mechanisms and stressed the importance of a specialized body for strengthening the global legal framework. Oegroseno said Indonesia would actively participate in drafting the court's rules and collaborate with the relevant parties to advance its mandate.
Edward Liu, the principal representative of the International Chamber of Shipping (China) Liaison Office and a partner at Haiwen & Partners LLP, described the court as a "Chinese solution" expands the focus on economic engagement to formal dispute resolution, saying that it embodies China's philosophy of "harmony with diversity" and signals China's commitment to global governance.
Noting Hong Kong's unique status as a common law jurisdiction under "one country, two systems," Liu said Hong Kong's role as the court's base aligns with its designation as an "Asia-Pacific international legal and dispute resolution center."
The role as a "super-connector" and a "super value-adder" between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world positions Hong Kong to serve both national priorities and international needs, he said. Enditem
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