What Changed
- IOMed Convention signatories grew to 48 and Contracting States to 18 within its first year.
- Hong Kong announced plans to insert IOMed mediation options into government contracts and consider a commodity trading mediator panel.
- Hong Kong will host state-to-state and investor-state mediation training in November 2026 and the first IOMed Forum in December 2026.
On October 20, 2026, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr. John Lee, delivered a speech at the First Anniversary Celebration of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong. The event marked one year of operations for the intergovernmental body, which is headquartered in the historic, converted Old Wan Chai Police Station.
During his address, Chief Executive Lee reviewed the progress made by the IOMed under Secretary-General Professor Teresa Cheng. Over its first year, the number of signatory states to the IOMed Convention increased from 33 to 48, while the number of Contracting States expanded from eight to 18. The organization has already handled multiple cases, including settling an international commercial dispute mediated by a Hong Kong maritime lawyer shortly after its inauguration.
To support and collaborate with the IOMed, the HKSAR Government is implementing several policy initiatives aligned with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. Building on its "Mediate First" policy, the HKSAR Government will include IOMed mediation as a dispute resolution option in government contracts and agreements to which Hong Kong is a party. Additionally, the government is considering establishing a special panel of mediators specifically for commodity trading disputes.
The address also detailed upcoming IOMed events hosted in Hong Kong. Following in-person and online training sessions conducted for member states in May and June 2026, further in-person training covering state-to-state and investor-state mediation is scheduled for November 2026. Furthermore, the inaugural IOMed Forum, themed "Mediation for Peace and Prosperity - the New Frontier," will take place in Hong Kong in December 2026.
The speech emphasizes Hong Kong's position as a bilingual common law jurisdiction and an international legal and dispute resolution services center supporting intergovernmental mediation initiatives.
Who May Be Affected
Legal professionals, mediators, cross-border commercial parties, and businesses entering agreements with the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Cross-Border Context
Hong Kong SAR hosts the headquarters of the international intergovernmental dispute resolution body (IOMed) and links its mediation strategy to China's National 15th Five-Year Plan.
What to check next
- Official administrative releases or standard contract templates implementing IOMed mediation clauses in HKSAR Government agreements.
- Further details regarding the establishment and criteria for the proposed commodity trading mediator panel.
- Program details and outcomes from the inaugural IOMed Forum in December 2026.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.