Repair work on the building that will house the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) has been completed, and the facility is scheduled to be handed over to the IOMed Preparatory Office on Friday.
A statement from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said on Wednesday that the building is fully equipped and ready to serve as the IOMed headquarters and other related purposes.
This progress brings the organization a step closer to beginning IOMed’s official operations — expected to start at the end of this year or in early 2026. The IOMed will be the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation.
READ MORE: International mediation body plans to headquarter in HK
The 1.5-year construction project met the government’s target timeline, reflecting a notable efficiency made possible by proactive efforts from the HKSAR government and support from various parties, the statement said.
On Wednesday, key officials, led by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok; Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; and Sun Jin, director-general of the IOMed Preparatory Office, visited the building. The new headquarters was converted from the Old Wan Chai Police Station, an 86-year-old Grade-2 historic building.
The officials toured its main lobby, conference rooms, mediation rooms and exhibition areas.
Michael Li Kiu-yin, director of architectural services, briefed the visitors on the revitalization process and the facility features. The conversion was carefully designed to ensure that the building complements the IOMed’s image and functionality while preserving its original architectural features — only making minimal, reversible alterations.
Lam expressed confidence that the IOMed will help consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. He said the organization will contribute to the nation’s foreign-related rule of law and support national plans, such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
On May 30, 33 countries, including China, signed the International Organization for Mediation Convention at a ceremony in Hong Kong, pledging their commitment to an international aspiration for a peaceful and harmonious world.
READ MORE: IOMed set to peacefully resolve international disputes
The IOMed was initiated in 2022 by China and nearly 20 like-minded countries. After years of negotiations, a unanimous consensus was reached to establish the IOMed headquarters in Hong Kong.
Contact the writer at tongsijiu@chinadailyhk.com
