The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) Preparatory Office was established in Hong Kong today, the Department of Justice announced.

It will carry out the preparatory work for the establishment of the IOMed pursuant to the Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation signed last year by China and relevant states.

Headed by Director-General Sun Jin, the office will also organise international negotiations on the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation and promote the application of international mediation.

The Department of Justice said the formation of the office is a significant initiative to promote the use of mediation for resolving international conflicts in a friendly and amicable manner.

It is expected that the IOMed will be a permanent multilateral international organisation established through consultations among all contracting parties to the joint statement, and will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services for settling international disputes, contributing to harmonious and peaceful international relations, the department added.

Addressing today’s inauguration ceremony, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said the setting up of the preparatory office in Hong Kong shows the great support from the motherland for maintaining the city’s unique status under “one country, two systems”.

He also noted that the establishment of the IOMed is of great importance to the long-term development of Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will do its utmost to assist in the preparatory office’s work.

Expressing gratitude to the Central People’s Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the signatory states to the joint statement, he noted that their staunch support and trust signify a vote of confidence in Hong Kong as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

The inauguration ceremony was well attended by government officials of the signatory states and local professionals at the Hong Kong Legal Hub today.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and State Councilor Wang Yi issued a letter to mark the opening of the office.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang, Chief Executive John Lee, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR Liu Guangyuan delivered congratulatory remarks.