Pakistan among others join China-led global mediation body as the signing ceremony for the convention took place in Hong Kong.
A large number of countries, including Pakistan, joined China on Friday in launching a new international group focused on resolving disputes through mediation. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed the country’s desire to play an active role in this global initiative.
Ishaq Dar was among the delegates from over 30 countries, ranging from Indonesia to Belarus and Cuba, who signed the Convention for the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, becoming founding members of the new global entity.
China has promoted IOMed as the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to mediation, aiming to support the United Nations Charter and position Hong Kong as a regional center for legal and dispute resolution services.
At the signing ceremony, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s appreciation for China’s continued support of multilateral cooperation, describing such initiatives as bridges between East and West, and between developed and developing nations, to advance a shared global vision.
He reaffirmed the shared belief between Pakistan and China in the importance of multilateralism for global peace, development, and stability, adding that IOMed’s creation reflects this vision by providing hope for a fairer and more inclusive international system.
IOMed, which will be headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to support peaceful dispute resolution and foster global harmony. Its backing from several developing countries highlights China’s growing role in the Global South, especially amid recent global tensions including those stemming from U.S. trade policies.
Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said the organization reflects China’s longstanding emphasis on dialogue and consensus as tools for conflict resolution and promotes a more cooperative, non-zero-sum approach to international disputes.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee noted that IOMed could begin its work before the end of the year. The launch event was attended by representatives from roughly 50 countries and 20 organizations, including the United Nations.
Professor Yueming Yan of the Chinese University of Hong Kong explained that IOMed will complement existing global legal institutions like the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration by offering mediation as a formalized and structured alternative.
She added that although specifics about IOMed are still unfolding, the organization has the potential to work alongside traditional litigation and arbitration, offering more flexible solutions to international disputes.
Professor Shahla Ali from the University of Hong Kong said IOMed will be equipped to handle conflicts between states, between states and foreign nationals, and even in commercial matters that cross borders.
She highlighted the importance of conventions like IOMed in encouraging new ways to address investor-state conflicts, given the global trend toward mediation.
Dar concluded by reiterating that international peace and prosperity depend on adherence to the UN Charter, compliance with international law, and proper implementation of Security Council resolutions. He also noted that Pakistan has created its own International Mediation and Arbitration Center (IMAC) and is eager to collaborate with IOMed’s secretariat.
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