Chief Executive Celebrates First Anniversary of International Organization for Mediation, Highlights Global Expansion and Success.

Speech by CE at International Organization for Mediation 1st Anniversary Celebration (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) 1st Anniversary Celebration today (October 20):

Secretary-General Professor Teresa Cheng (Secretary-General of the IOMed), Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Chief Justice Andrew Cheung (Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to join you today, to celebrate the first anniversary of the International Organization for Mediation.

A year ago today, I officiated at the International Organization for Mediation's Inauguration Ceremony, together with members of IOMed's Governing Council and representatives of the Contracting States. Today, we are here to congratulate the IOMed on its welcome progress under the leadership of Secretary-General Professor Teresa Cheng.

The response, internationally, has been equally encouraging. Over this past year, the number of signatory states to the IOMed Convention has increased from the original 33 to 48, while the number of Contracting States has more than doubled, from eight to 18.

Just a few months after its inauguration, the IOMed settled an international commercial dispute. More good news: the mediator was an experienced maritime lawyer from Hong Kong. I am pleased to add that the IOMed has already handled multiple cases, and global interest is growing, with more potential cases in the pipeline.

In-person and online training for IOMed member states was held in Hong Kong in May and June, respectively. More in-person training for IOMed member states, in both state-to-state mediation and investor-state mediation, will take place next month.

And the first IOMed Forum, under the theme "Mediation for Peace and Prosperity - the New Frontier", will be held this December in Hong Kong.

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.

The IOMed is a vital platform for promoting global peace and prosperity. And the HKSAR Government will continue to support the IOMed, in keeping with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong, after all, is the world's only ChineseEnglish, bilingual common law jurisdiction. And our status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre is internationally recognised.

In last month's Policy Address, I set out a set of initiatives to support and collaborate with the IOMed, promoting Hong Kong as a global hub for mediation.

Building on the Government's "Mediate First" policy, we will include IOMed mediation as a dispute resolution option in government contracts and agreements to which Hong Kong is a party.

I also welcome the IOMed's involvement in settling disputes in emerging industries. And we are considering the establishment of a special panel of mediators in commodity trading.

I hope, too, to see our talented young professionals contribute to international peace and co-operation. And I look forward to working with the IOMed in creating opportunities for young people in its wide-ranging affairs.

Ladies and gentlemen, IOMed's headquarters was converted from our historic Old Wan Chai Police Station. Its design theme was rooted in a proverb borrowed from Chinese porcelain, and I quote "" which I will translate as "Entering the kiln as one, emerging as a kaleidoscope of colours".

That reflects the value of international mediation, in which parties begin with a dispute and, ideally, leave with diverse solutions and new opportunities.

Mediation embodies respect, mutual trust, fairness and harmony. And I am confident that the International Organization for Mediation will continue to serve, and shine, as a beacon of hope for the world.

I wish you all a memorable evening.

Thank you.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by CE at International Organization for Mediation 1st Anniversary Celebration (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at International Organization for Mediation 1st Anniversary Celebration (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at International Organization for Mediation 1st Anniversary Celebration (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, attended the 2026 North Bund Forum in Shanghai today (October 20) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishing a "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at the forum.

The 2026 North Bund Forum is themed "Common Challenge, Shared Mission - Promoting the Resilient Development of Global Shipping & Aviation". Ms Chan attended the opening ceremony and the international shipping forum to exchange views with other participants on global maritime developments and enhancing collaboration.

During the release of major achievements at the opening ceremony, Ms Chan and the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, Mr Xiao Hui, witnessed by Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Zhang Yong and Vice-Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr He Qing, signed the MOU on Strategic Cooperation between Hong Kong and Shanghai on Further Promoting High-Quality Collaborative Maritime Development, marking the official establishment of a "brother port" strategic partnership between Hong Kong and Shanghai. The two cities will strengthen collaboration in smart port and maritime development, promote the co-ordinated development of container liners' operations and supporting sectors, advance the development of green and low-carbon port and shipping, foster the synergised development of high-end maritime services, promote the co-ordinated development of the intermodal logistics sector, strengthen the cultural and industry exchanges of maritime sector, and enhance the nurturing of and exchanges among maritime professionals.

Ms Chan said, "Both Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address released last month placed significant emphasis on maritime development, including the expansion of our partner port network and to promote the establishment of a 'brother port' relationship with Shanghai within this year. I am pleased to welcome the good news a month later today, which will further deepen our collaboration with Mainland ports.

"Building a 'brother port' strategic partnership collaboration platform between Hong Kong and Shanghai will help Hong Kong expand its network of co-operation with Mainland ports, jointly enhancing the global competitiveness and influence of the country's two major international shipping centres. Hong Kong and Shanghai will work hand in hand to promote the co-ordinated developments of the shipping sector, leveraging the two sides' unique advantages in the global shipping network to further boost port competitiveness and impetus for growth."

Ms Chan also announced that the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), at an exchange session on shipping co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong to be held on the second day of the forum tomorrow (October 21), will witness the official launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Express by a shipping company. She noted that she is pleased to see the launch of the demonstration project of co-ordinated development between the shipping industries and ports of the two places, which is a concrete outcome of co-operation under the newly established "brother port" relationship between the two sides. While deepening co-operation with the "brother port", the Government is also striving to broaden Hong Kong's "circle of friends" in the international maritime community. The TLB is actively working towards announcing the second batch of partner ports during Hong Kong Maritime Week, an annual flagship event to be held next month, to further strengthen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and strategically significant ports both domestically and abroad.

In the afternoon, Ms Chan visited a leading local port enterprise to learn about its operations and the latest developments in smart ports and green shipping. Ms Chan met with representatives of the enterprise, which operates the port with the largest container throughput worldwide, to exchange views on strengthening ties and co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in areas such as promoting port services, with a view to jointly advancing the development of the national maritime and port industry.

Ms Chan concluded her visit and departed for Hong Kong in the evening.

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

STL signs MOU on establishing "brother port" relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai at North Bund Forum Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases