To explore the pivotal role of mediation in the current global landscape, IOMed hosted its inaugural “IOMed Global Series” Fireside Chat on 24 September 2026.
Under the theme “The Journey to Peace & Prosperity Through Dialogue”, the event was moderated by Prof. Teresa Cheng SC, Secretary-General of IOMed and former Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR. It featured Mr. Paul Lam SC, the current Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, and Mr. Rimsky Yuen SC, Mediator on the IOMed General Panel of Mediators and former Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, as the speakers.
(From left to right: Secretary Paul Lam SC, Prof. Teresa Cheng SC, Mr. Rimsky Yuen SC)
Held in a hybrid online and offline format, the Fireside Chat attracted more than 300 legal professionals, government officials, mediation experts, scholars, and media representatives from 23 jurisdictions. During the session, the three speakers shared the historical journey and background behind Hong Kong’s formulation of mediation policies and laws over the years, as well as their experiences in promoting mediation and supporting the establishment of IOMed.
Review of the Evolution of Hong Kong’s Mediation Policies and Laws: Laying the Foundation for Diversified Dispute Resolution
Prof. Teresa Cheng SC reviewed key milestones in Hong Kong’s mediation development, including the establishment of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre in 2012, and the historical background of implementing the “mediation first, arbitration second” mechanism, “I think the Mediate First pledge resulted as a very important theme of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre that was set up, where the phrase became ‘Mediate First, Arbitrate Next.’ And that was how, in a way, it became a very important factor in the financial industry in particular to use mediation.”
Mr. Rimsky Yuen SC noted that the Chief Executive’s Policy Address for 2007-2008 marked the first time the Hong Kong SAR Government formally confirmed the promotion of mediation as a means of dispute resolution, which was a historical milestone.
In addition, the three speakers analyzed the policy considerations and behind-the-scenes stories of introducing the Mediation Ordinance and the Apology Ordinance in Hong Kong. The current Secretary for Justice, Mr. Paul Lam SC, highlighted that Hong Kong is one of the first few jurisdictions to have these legislations.
Integrating Mechanisms in the Greater Bay Area and the Establishment of IOMed
Subsequently, the discussion shifted towards regional cooperation and the establishment of IOMed. Prof. Teresa Cheng SC elaborated on the latest evolution and practical achievements of mediation mechanisms under the framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, “The Greater Bay Area is one country, two systems, and three jurisdictions. So, this is a particular example where the international context is applied, and when commercial disputes amongst the three Greater Bay Area jurisdictions arise, disputants would be able to come to the International Organization for Mediation.”
The three guests then looked back on the valuable journey following the conclusion of the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in 2022, which ultimately led to the official establishment of IOMed and its localization in Hong Kong in 2025.
Looking Ahead to the Future of International Collaboration and Diverse Fields of Mediation
The three speakers further discussed international law and mediation. These included the complementarity between IOMed and the Singapore Convention on Mediation, the arrangements for mutual recognition and enforcement of mediated settlement agreements between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong SAR, the proposed establishment of a specialized panel of mediators in the commodities sector, and the collaboration mechanisms between IOMed and other local and overseas dispute resolution institutions.
When closing the discussion, Prof. Teresa Cheng SC reiterated IOMed’s commitment to working together with people in support of mediation to foster a global mediation ecosystem.
The IOMed Global Series is a platform for communication and knowledge sharing on international law and dispute resolution, with the aim of promoting the use of mediation.