A total of 32 countries have become the founding members of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), the world's first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Friday at a regular press conference in Beijing.
Lin made the remarks in response to a question about the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed.
"The signing ceremony of the IOMed was held in Hong Kong on Friday morning. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended and addressed the event. Representatives from 32 countries signed the Convention, marking a total of 32 countries becoming founding members of the IOMed. Moreover, high-level representatives from around another 50 countries and about 20 international organizations witnessed the ceremony," said Lin.
"As an innovative step in the international rule of law, the establishment of the IOMed is of great significance in the history of international relations. It fills a gap in the international mediation field and provides important law-based public good for the improvement of global governance. The establishment of the IOMed has practiced the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, embodying the wisdom of harmonious coexistence and showcasing the inclusiveness of law-based civilizations," Lin said.
"Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his remarks that, it is China’s consistent position that differences should be handled in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, consensus should be built up through ways of dialogue and consultation, development should be promoted in the attitude of win-win cooperation, and problems should be addressed from a future-oriented perspective, and we can actively explore solutions with Chinese characteristics to hotspot issues. We It is hoped that parties will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, carry forward the spirit of reconciliation, cooperation and harmony, defend fairness, justice and equity, and advocate extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit," Lin said.
"As decided through consultation among countries participating in the negotiation of the Convention, the IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong. The city has a highly-developed legal system and combines the advantages of both common law and civil law, and thus has unique advantages in international mediation," he said.
"China hopes that the signatory states will ratify the convention at an early date. We welcome more countries to join us and promote the organization to play a positive role in the peaceful resolution of international disputes," he added.
IOMed serves as important law-based public good for the improvement of global governance: spokesman
