On 16 February, the inauguration ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office (IOMPO) was held online and offline in Hong Kong SAR. WANG Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and State Councilor, extended a letter to the establishment of the preparatory office, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR LI Jiachao, Foreign Minister of PRC QIN Gang, and ministerial-level officials of the signatories of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of the International Mediation Institute delivered video speeches. LIU Guangyuan, Commissioner of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong SAR, read out WANG Yi's letter on the spot, and jointly unveiled the preparatory office with LIN Tingguo, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and SUN Jin, Director of the IOMPO.

Commissioner LIU delivered a speech entitled "Nothing Can Seperate People With the Same Goal, Walk Far Walk Together", warmly congratulated the establishment of the preparatory office, saying that WANG Yi sent a letter to the inauguration ceremony, and Minister QIN Gang and representatives of relevant countries delivered speeches, expounding the consideration in depth and great significance of the establishment of the International Mediation Institute jointly initiated by China and relevant countries, fully reflecting the importance and support of all parties. The IOMPO will be responsible for organizing and conducting negotiations on the relevant international conventions and laying the institutional foundation for the eventual establishment of the International Court of Mediation.

Commissioner LIU expressed full expectations and confidence in the establishment of the International Mediation Institute. This confidence stems from the requirements of the times for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Mediation is one of the important ways of peaceful settlement of international disputes under the Charter of the United Nations. The establishment of international organizations specializing in providing mediation services will not only provide useful supplements to existing institutions for peaceful settlement of international disputes, but also improve international legal services and dispute resolution mechanisms, and provide legal guarantees for promoting cross-border exchanges such as commercial activities in the post-epidemic era. This confidence comes from the spirit of cooperation through consultation, co-construction and sharing. The establishment of the International Mediation Institute jointly initiated by China and relevant countries reflects the common adherence of all parties to multilateralism and the international rule of law. In the previous preparatory work, all parties adhered to openness and inclusiveness, fully communicated and consulted, and continuously built consensus. It is believed that as long as all parties continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation through consultation, co-construction and sharing, they will certainly be able to draw the largest concentric circle. China welcomes and expects more countries to join the process of preparing for the establishment of the International Mediation Institute. This confidence also stems from Hong Kong's unique location. The preparatory office is located in Hong Kong SAR, which not only reflects the importance and support of the Central Government for unique location and advantage of Hong Kong SAR, but also reflects the international community's recognition and confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong SAR. It is believed that Hong Kong SAR's advantages in the rule of law will provide a strong guarantee for promoting the establishment of the International Mediation Institute, and will also provide great help to the future development of the International Mediation Institute.

The IOMPO was established in the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the Joint Statement on the Establishment of the International Mediation Institute signed by China and relevant countries in 2022, and is responsible for organizing and conducting intergovernmental negotiations on international conventions for the establishment of the International Mediation Institute, with a view to establishing an intergovernmental international organization specializing in providing mediation services. The establishment of the IOMPO marks the beginning of the substantive creation phase of the International Mediation Institute. About 200 representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong SAR, the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR, legal organizations in Hong Kong SAR and signatories of the Joint Declaration attended the inauguration ceremony online and offline.

(The inauguration ceremony of IMOPO)

(Source: China News)