Hong Kong Becomes HQ of World’s First Global Mediation Body
By Wen Simin and Denise Jia
The world’s first intergovernmental organization dedicated solely to resolving international disputes through mediation — the International Mediation Institute (IMI) — was officially established on Friday in Hong Kong, which will be its home.
The signing ceremony drew representatives from 32 founding member countries, more than 50 additional nations and around 20 international organizations. Founding members include China, Algeria, Belarus, Cambodia, Venezuela and Cuba. The convention seeks to establish a new legal framework for resolving cross-border disputes through mediation rather than litigation or arbitration.
Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, described the institute as a vital step toward closing the institutional gap in global mediation. “The IMI will help mediate disputes between states, between states and foreign investors and in international commercial conflicts — according to the parties’ will,” Wang added that the institute represents an important legal public good for improving global governance.
Cheung Kwok-kwan, Hong Kong’s deputy secretary for justice, said the IMI will stand alongside The Hague’s International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration as a pillar of international dispute resolution — but with a focus on consensus-building and peaceful dialogue.
John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, echoed this sentiment in his keynote speech, framing the IMI as a timely antidote to the rise of protectionism and unilateralism. “We must choose cooperation over division,” Lee said. “The IMI offers all nations — regardless of culture, language, or legal system — a platform from which to resolve disputes based on mutual respect and understanding.”
The institute was initiated by China in late 2022 and took shape after five rounds of negotiations involving around 20 countries. It fills a previously unmet need: a formalized international body that resolves conflicts through mediation rather than adversarial legal proceedings.
Lee emphasized the economic dividends the IMI will bring to Hong Kong. He expects it to create a wave of job opportunities — from mediators and translators to researchers — and to attract global organizations, NGOs and academic institutions to the city. The influx could also boost industries such as hospitality, logistics and event management, he added.
Paul Lam, Hong Kong’s justice secretary, confirmed that signatory states would now begin drafting the IMI’s operational framework. The headquarters is to be housed in the historic Old Wan Chai Police Station, currently being renovated, and is expected to open by late 2025 or early 2026.
Beyond hosting the IMI, Hong Kong already enjoys a strong international reputation in legal and dispute resolution services. The city has a deep bench of multilingual, cross-border legal talent, making it a natural choice for the IMI’s base.
In the latest International Arbitration Survey conducted by White & Case LLP and Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong came second in the world’s most preferred arbitration venues — tying with Singapore and ahead of most Western hubs.
The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre handled 281 arbitration cases in 2023, with a record total dispute value of HK$92.8 billion ($11.9 billion), reflecting the city’s growing status as a legal powerhouse.
Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com)
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Image: Earnest Tse – stock.adobe.com