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the fifth session of the Elaboration of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation
From 14 to 17 October 2024, the fifth session of the Elaboration of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation was held in the Hong Kong SAR, China, where delegations successfully concluded the Convention and decided to hold the Signing Ceremony of the Convention in Hong Kong in 2025.
The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) is the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation. It will be a key mechanism to apply mediation as a peaceful means to settle international disputes enshrined in the UN Charter with a view to win-win cooperation between the parties, and is of great importance to improving global governance and promoting world peace and the stability of the international order.
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.
Structure
Subsidiary Institutions or Advisory Bodies
The IOMed may establish such subsidiary institutions or advisory bodies as it deems necessary for the performance and fulfillment of its purposes, objectives and functions.
Governing Council
The Governing Council shall be the decision-making body which shall make policy decisions and set the overall strategy of the IOMed. Its composition, powers and functions, and decision-making are stipulated in the IOMed Convention.
The Governing Council shall be composed of one representative of each Contracting State. An alternate designated by a Contracting State may act as representative in case of his or her principal’s absence from a meeting or inability to act. At each of its annual meetings, the Governing Council shall elect a Chairperson who shall hold office until the election of the next Chairperson. One or more Vice Chairpersons may also be elected, whose term of office shall be the same as that of the Chairperson.
The Governing Council shall:
- adopt its own rules of procedure;
- adopt the administrative and financial regulations of the IOMed;
- adopt the selection and appointment procedure of the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General;
- adopt the annual budget of revenues and expenditures of the IOMed;
- adopt the rules of procedure for the institution of mediation proceedings;
- adopt the rules of procedure for mediation proceedings;
- adopt the code of conduct for mediators;
- review and approve the annual report on the operation of the IOMed;
- appoint the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General;
- determine the conditions of service of the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General;
- establish subsidiary institutions or advisory bodies of the IOMed.
The Governing Council shall also exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as it shall determine to be necessary for the implementation of the provisions of the IOMed Convention.
The Governing Council shall, to the furthest extent possible, operate on the basis of consensus. Each member of the Governing Council shall have one vote. According to the IOMed Convention, in case consensus cannot be reached on a particular matter after every effort has been exhausted, the Governing Council shall move to decide on the matter by a simple or special majority of its members present and voting.
Secretariat
The IOMed Secretariat will carry out the daily operations of the IOMed.
The Secretariat shall consist of the Secretary-General, one or more Deputy Secretaries-General and such other officials and staff as may be considered necessary. The Secretary-General shall be the legal representative and the chief official of the IOMed and shall be responsible for its administration, including the appointment of officials, in accordance with the provisions of the IOMed Convention and the rules and regulations adopted by the Governing Council.
The Secretariat shall be responsible for implementing the decisions of the Governing Council.
The Secretariat shall prepare an annual budget of revenues and expenditures, and an annual report on the operation of the IOMed, for the Governing Council to review and approve.
The Secretariat shall establish channels of communication with the Contracting States.
All the officials and staff of the Secretariat, in the discharge of their offices, owe their duty entirely to the IOMed and to no other authority.
Leadership Team
History
In 2022, China and like-minded countries concluded the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation.
On 16 February 2023, the IOMed Preparatory Office was inaugurated in the Hong Kong SAR, China to coordinate the Elaboration of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Dr. Sun Jin serves as Director-General of the Preparatory Office.
In May 2023, the first session of the IOMed Convention Elaboration was held in the Hong Kong SAR. Delegations of States that had signed, endorsed or supported the Joint Statement attended the session, and decided that Dr. Sun Jin would be the Chair of the sessions.
The second to fourth sessions of the Elaboration were held in the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR in October 2023, January 2024 and June 2024.
From 14 to 17 October 2024, the fifth session of the IOMed Convention Elaboration was held in Hong Kong, where delegations successfully concluded the Convention and decided to hold the signing ceremony of the Convention in Hong Kong in 2025.
On 30 May 2025, the Signing Ceremony of the IOMed Convention is held in Hong Kong.
On 29 August 2025, the IOMed Convention enters into force.
On 20 October 2025, the IOMed, headquartered in Hong Kong, China, was inaugurated.