An intergovernmental mediation body headquartered in Hong Kong has resolved at least one more dispute since settling a case involving parties from Singapore and mainland China, while its influence has grown to cover 46 signatory and 16 contracting states.
Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, secretary general of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), also said on Sunday that her organisation had persistently explained its work to parties with “a certain attitude” due to geopolitical concerns.
“According to my experience, they understand after our explanation. They include governments, corporations, as well as some professional groups or bodies,” she told a radio show.
“When you set aside political stances, I cannot think of anyone who could argue that mediation is a bad thing … Regardless of their nationality and the political stance of their nations, people I have been in touch with totally accept mediation after listening clearly and viewing objectively.”
The China-led IOMed – the world’s first intergovernmental body dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation – was officially inaugurated in Hong Kong last October after participating countries signed the convention for the institution’s establishment in May that year.
Cheng said her team had already visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco and Serbia, and would travel to Austria, France and the United States to explain IOMed’s work.