On 15 December 2025, IOMed Secretary-General Prof. Teresa CHENG Yeuk-wah attended the 4th Belt and Road Youth Development Summit in Hong Kong SAR, China, and delivered a speech at the opening session on behalf of IOMed.
Secretary-General Prof. CHENG introduced the vision and mission of IOMed. She said that the IOMed is the first inter-governmental treaty-based body established to promote mediation exclusively. It now has 38 signatory states, 10 of which have ratified the Convention and all 38 of which are Belt and Road partner countries. She pointed out that the hosting of the Headquarters of IOMed in Hong Kong signified China’s support for Hong Kong and the confidence of the signatory states in Hong Kong.
She highlighted the three key principles of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits capture and align with the spirit of mediation. Mediation encourages dialogue through joint or private meetings, allows parties to take full control of the process and outcome, and creates a win-win solution acceptable to all. She said mediation is best suited for resolving BRI disputes as it enhances co-operation and preserves relationships.
The IOMed administers three types of mediation for state to state, investor-state and commercial disputes. Capacity building is one of the main functions of IOMed. Through these activities, IOMed aims to create a mediation ecosystem. To have a sustainable mediation ecosystem, the engagement of youth is indispensable, whether through capacity building workshops, scholarship programs or mediation moots. IOMed is committed to working hand in hand with young people to build a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.