Speech by CE at Global Mediation Summit
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Global Mediation Summit today (May 8):
Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Secretary-General Teresa Cheng (Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. Welcome to Hong Kong, and the Global Mediation Summit of the IOMed – the International Organization for Mediation. Today's global gathering comes on the first anniversary of the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed.
The inauguration of IOMed followed, last October, here in Hong Kong. That cheering event has placed much expectation and hope, worldwide, on the new institution and its promise of contributing to the peaceful settlement of international disputes through mediation – and doing so in line with the United Nations Charter.
I'm pleased to note that, since last October's inauguration ceremony, the number of signatory states has climbed from 37 to 41, while the number of contracting states has gone from eight to 13.
In these perilous times, when global affairs have become increasingly complex and volatile, the pursuit of peace – and peaceful resolutions – is imperative. Which makes today's Summit especially timely.
And it is a great pleasure to see more than 400 leaders, policymakers and distinguished professionals from 48 countries and regions gathered, here in Hong Kong, to share their invaluable experience and insights on international mediation.
Hong Kong has long supported mediation. Mediation echoes concord and coexistence, creating co-operation where there was conflict. Concord and coexistence are values deeply rooted in Chinese culture. They are indispensable for resolving disputes and restoring trust. They preserve relationships, encouraging meaningful co-operation between disputing parties.
Hong Kong is committed to becoming a global mediation capital. And we are well-positioned to do so.
Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is a thriving hub for international finance, shipping and trade. We benefit from our country's strong support and the opportunities it gives us, while maintaining extensive international connectivity as a world city.
Indeed, the recent Global Financial Centres Index ranked Hong Kong third, globally, and first in "fintech offerings", "banking", "finance" and "insurance", while claiming second place in "investment management". And we topped the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Our status as a leading financial centre and global investment hub is reinforced by our robust rule of law and legal system, the cornerstone of our longstanding success.
Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China, our country. And our legal professionals are internationally acknowledged for their professionalism and integrity.
And now, as IOMed's headquarters, Hong Kong is at the very heart of global dispute resolution and its promising future.
The National 15th Five-Year Plan, I'm pleased to note, has expressed support to IOMed. That ensures that Hong Kong will play a key role in the peaceful resolution of disputes by mediation, long down the road.
And I can assure you that Hong Kong will continue to build on our partnership with the International Organization for Mediation. Together, we will work to develop Hong Kong as a global mediation centre. And we invite governments, companies, investors and others to make optimal use of the mediation services provided by IOMed, right here in Hong Kong.
Our commitment to mediation, locally and globally, is clear in the five-day Mediation Week programme that ends today with this Summit. Mediation Week events spotlighted disputes related to schools, sports, neighbourhoods and the elderly. The goal in each case was to apply mediation structure and skills to achieve peaceful and rational solutions to our problems.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what today's world, fraught with geopolitical tensions and disorder, is desperately in need of.
I wish you all a rewarding Global Mediation Summit and a memorable stay in Hong Kong, Asia's world city. And soon enough, the world's mediation city.
Thank you.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Global Mediation Summit today (May 8). Photo shows (first row, from second left) the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Cui Jianchun; Mr Lee; the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Global Mediation Summit today (May 8). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by SJ at Global Mediation Summit
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the Global Mediation Summit under Mediation Week 2026 today (May 8):
Secretary-General Cheng (Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng), Commissioner Cui (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Cui Jianchun), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy under the DoJ are extremely honoured to be the key sponsors of today's Global Mediation Summit organised by the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
Time really flies. I still remember that we hosted the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed on May 30 last year. Shortly after that, we completed the conversion of the Old Wan Chai Police Station into the IOMed Headquarters. On October 20 last year, the formal inauguration and first Governing Council meeting of the IOMed were held. It is indeed remarkable that, within less than a year following the signing of the Convention, the number of signatories has increased to 41, out of which 13 have ratified the Convention and hence become Contracting States.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in particular the DoJ, will continue to support the work of the IOMed in different ways. First, it will be responsible for the maintenance of the Headquarters. Second, the DoJ will continue to second Hong Kong legal professionals to the IOMed Secretariat. Since 2023, the DoJ has already seconded a total of four counsel to assist in the establishment of the IOMed. Third, the Government will actively promote the use of IOMed mediation by, among other things, taking the lead in procuring the inclusion of an IOMed mediation clause in suitable international agreements to which the HKSAR Government is a party.
Furthermore, we are at the preparatory stage of the construction of an entirely new Hong Kong International Legal Service Building, which will be located adjacent to the IOMed Headquarters. In addition to the provision of training and dispute resolution facilities, space has been reserved for the IOMed in anticipation of its future needs.
I would venture to say that Hong Kong provides the ideal ecosystem for the conduct of international mediation under the IOMed.
To begin with, Hong Kong is well recognised as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre. Indeed, one of the mandates stated in the National 15th Five-Year Plan is that Hong Kong shall strengthen its status in this respect.
To be more specific on mediation, Hong Kong aims at establishing itself as the Global Capital of Mediation. Back in 2009, the DoJ launched the "Mediate First" Pledge campaign. The Pledge is a non-legally binding statement of commitment by pledgees to first explore the use of mediation to resolve disputes before resorting to other means of dispute resolution. To date, over 1 000 companies, organisations or associations and individuals have signed the Pledge. Since 2012, the DoJ has been organising the Mediation Week biennially to promote the wider use of mediation in Hong Kong. Today's Summit is indeed the finale of this year's Mediation Week. On November 6, 2024, the DoJ issued the Policy Statement on the Incorporation of Mediation Clauses in Government Contracts, under which the Government, as a matter of general policy, would incorporate a mediation clause in all government contracts. The policy has taken effect since February 6, 2025. The Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System, established by the DoJ in October 2024, has already completed a comprehensive review and made a series of recommendations, including a proposal to introduce legislative amendments to the Mediation Ordinance. The DoJ will take forward the legislative amendment work in the second half of 2026. Furthermore, capacity-building programmes offered by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, set up by the DoJ in late 2024, would include mediation wherever appropriate.
One of Hong Kong's strengths is its strong pool of legal professionals who are proficient and experienced in international dispute resolution. It is noteworthy that 10 out of the 24 mediators designated by China to the IOMed's General Panel of Mediators come from Hong Kong.
Let us not forget that Hong Kong is located in the heart of Asia, and within a five-hour flight of half of the world's population. It is an international, cosmopolitan city which offers a safe, inclusive and friendly environment to people coming from other parts of the world.
All in all, we are very confident that the IOMed, with its Headquarters in Hong Kong, will make significant contributions to the international rule of law. The HKSAR Government, in particular the DoJ, will continue to do its utmost to promote and support the work of the IOMed in the future. On this note, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a most constructive Summit. Thank you very much.
The Global Mediation Summit was held today (May 8). Photo shows the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, speaking at the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by SJ at Global Mediation Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by SJ at Global Mediation Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
