The Government today announced that an agreement was signed last month to pave the way for the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office in Hong Kong.

The People’s Republic of China and various foreign states signed the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation which confirmed the initiation of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), the Government explained in a press release.

The IOMed will provide a new platform for the peaceful settlement of international disputes, it added, highlighting that this international inter-governmental organisation will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services.

Pursuant to the joint statement, the IOMed Preparatory Office will be set up in Hong Kong. From 2023, the office is expected to start the negotiation of the relevant international convention and the preparatory work relating to the IOMed’s establishment.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam signed the Arrangement on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The arrangement stipulates provisions relating to the establishment of the IOMed Preparatory Office, its status, and the privileges and immunities of the office and the individuals connected with it.

Mr Lam said: “The establishment of the IOMed Preparatory Office in the Hong Kong SAR is a much welcomed development and shows the great support from our motherland to maintaining the city’s unique status under ‘one country, two systems’.

“It also signifies a vote of confidence by the states signing the joint statement in placing their trust in the Hong Kong SAR as the location for the IOMed Preparatory Office.”

Situating the preparatory office in Hong Kong would strengthen the city’s position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia Pacific region under the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Greater Bay Area Development Plan, he also noted.

The arrangement will come into effect after the relevant legislative work has been completed in Hong Kong, the Government added.