Hong Kong-based IOMed settles second dispute as body marks its first year

A Hong Kong-headquartered intergovernmental mediation body has successfully settled its second case, an infrastructure dispute in Malaysia, and has received “more than a dozen” inquiries, its head has revealed on the organisation’s first anniversary.
Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, secretary general of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), told a reception marking the body’s first anniversary that it had wrapped up a case on Tuesday and was handling another.
“Our ambition is not simply to build a successful institution, but to foster a culture where mediation becomes a natural and trusted choice to resolve international disputes,” Cheng said.
Inaugurated on October 20, 2025, the organisation now has 48 signatory states, compared with 37 last year. The number of contracting states also rose from eight last year to 18.
These states span Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Europe.
Contracting states, which have ratified their membership, include Nicaragua, Pakistan, Kenya, Myanmar, Cambodia and Serbia. Signatory states include Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Vanuatu, Angola, Cuba and Kiribati.
“The growth reflects the international community’s confidence in and aspiration for mediation, and we hope, also of the work of the International Organisation for Mediation,” Cheng added.
The body had previously disclosed that it had successfully handled a maritime dispute involving parties from mainland China and Singapore in May. Cheng said on Tuesday that the body had resolved its second dispute at its Wan Chai headquarters within a day.
The case concerned an infrastructure project in Malaysia, and was brought about despite the lack of a prior agreement between the disputing parties to use this alternative form of dispute resolution.
Cheng said the body had also been handling another case, which it was conducted online.
“With the consent of the parties, we are disclosing as much information as we can to let everyone know about our development,” the secretary general said.
Cheng added that IOMed had received “more than a dozen” inquiries from parties interested in conducting mediation at the body.

Speaking at the anniversary reception, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu called the growth in signatory and contracting states “encouraging”, saying the body had been gaining trust quickly over the past year.
“In short, IOMed is fast emerging as a trusted intergovernmental body, committed to resolving international disputes through mediation, and doing so based on mutual respect and understanding,” Lee said.
He highlighted that the government remained committed to supporting the intergovernmental body to promote Hong Kong as a global hub for mediation.
These efforts included a measure announced in the policy address last month to include IOMed mediation as a dispute resolution option in government contracts and agreements.
Lee said he hoped to work with the body to encourage young professionals to contribute to international peace and cooperation.
Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong, said separately in his congratulatory remarks at the reception that IOMed's development had been a “pioneering journey”, pledging continued support from the nation.
“As both initiator and host country, China remains fully committed to supporting the development of IOMed,” Cui said.
He said the growth in signatory and contracting states has shown broad international representation, while its success with two settlements has proven its value as a dispute resolution platform.