With staunch support from the Central People's Government (CPG), the inauguration ceremony for the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office (IOMed Preparatory Office) was held on 16 February in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The Preparatory Office was established in HKSAR to carry out the preparatory work for the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation pursuant to the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (Joint Statement), which was signed last year by China and the relevant states.
The establishment of the Preparatory Office is a significant international initiative on promoting the use of mediation for resolving international conflicts in a friendly and amicable manner. It is envisaged that the International Organization for Mediation will be a permanent multilateral international organization established through consultations among all Contracting Parties, and will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services for settling international disputes, contributing to harmonious and peaceful international relations.
The inauguration ceremony was well attended by a number of distinguished government officials of the Signatory States to the Joint Statement and local dignitaries including representatives from the legal profession and major dispute resolution bodies. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and State Councilor, Mr. Yi Wang, issued a letter to mark the opening of the Preparatory Office. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gang Qin, distinguished representatives of the Signatory States to the Joint Statement; the Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr. John Lee; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, Mr. Guangyuan Liu; and the Secretary for Justice, Mr. Paul Lam, SC, all delivered congratulatory remarks at the inauguration ceremony. The Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Mr. Guangyuan Liu; the Secretary for Justice of HKSAR, Mr. Paul Lam, SC; and the Director-General of the IOMed Preparatory Office, Mr. Jin Sun, officiating at the plaque unveiling ceremony of the IOMed Preparatory Office.
Mr. Anthony Neoh, SC Chairman of the Board of SCIAHK, Vice Chairman of the SCIA Council was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Posted on 17 February 2023
