IOMed marks first year with 47 signatories

The International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed), the first treaty-based intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to mediation, has expanded its membership to 47 signatory states, up from 37 upon its inauguration ten months ago. IOMed Secretary-General Teresa Cheng made the announcement during the Belt and Road Summit. Cheng highlighted that all 16 contracting states, which are participants in the Belt and Road Initiative, were present at the summit, including leaders from Uzbekistan, Laos, Kazakhstan, Timor-Leste, and Pakistan, a founding member of IOMed.

The organisation handles three types of disputes: state-to-state, international commercial, and those involving investors and states. An early case handled by IOMed-administered mediation was a maritime dispute between a Chinese and a Singaporean party. Cheng emphasized that IOMed's work supports all five areas of Belt and Road connectivity, including policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and people-to-people exchanges.

She described mediation as a means to prevent escalation, preserve long-term relationships, and shift from zero-sum thinking to a win-win approach. IOMed aims to serve as a lubricant for Belt and Road cooperation, turning disputes into minor hindrances rather than major roadblocks. The organisation plans to host dialogue series and capacity-building activities for member states while exploring specialized panels for disputes in sectors like commodities, aviation, and shipping.