There has been a relatively recent and interesting development in the field of mediation with what appears to be the creation of the first intergovernmental organisation relating specifically to mediation. Namely the International Organization for Mediation, with its headquarters intriguingly in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. This has been established following the signing of a ‘Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation’ in Hong Kong on 30 May 2025.
As of 18 September 2026 there appear to be seventeen contracting states and 47 signatory states. According to the organisation’s website (iomed.int), “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”. It will be interested to see how exactly and to what extent this organisation will be engaged with universally, particularly perhaps by western nations.
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