Pakistan joins China-led global mediation body as founding member

Pakistan has joined 31 other countries in becoming a founding member of the newly launched International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), an intergovernmental body initiated by China and headquartered in Hong Kong, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The move, marked by a high-profile signing ceremony, represents a broader international push to promote peaceful dispute resolution at a time of rising geopolitical tensions.

Described by China as “an innovative step in international rule of law,” the IOMed is seen as an institutional response to the growing need for dialogue-based solutions in international affairs.

The Hong Kong government has compared the organization’s stature to that of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague -- underscoring Beijing’s intention to elevate its influence in global governance, particularly as the United States pulls back from some multilateral forums.

The organization’s establishment is also viewed as part of efforts to reinforce Hong Kong’s international standing as a trusted business and legal hub, following concerns over its autonomy and judicial independence after the imposition of China’s national security law in 2020.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called the creation of IOMed “the beginning of a new era in the realm of international mediation and diplomacy,” and a reaffirmation of multilateralism.

Commending the choice of Hong Kong as its base, he said the city is a “super connector” and “super value adder” where “East meets West”-- well-positioned for this “transformational journey.”

Pakistan, he added, is proud to stand among the founding members.

He also used the platform to highlight unresolved conflicts such as “occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the occupied Palestinian territories,” saying these disputes continue to threaten global peace.

Referring to India, Dar said “unprovoked and unjustified military aggression” and violations of international treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty are “setting new and dangerous precedents.”

He emphasized that the launch of IOMed sends a clear message that the international community does not accept violations of the UN Charter or the arbitrary use of force as normal behavior.

A closer look at the International Organization for Mediation

The IOMed is the world’s first intergovernmental legal body focused exclusively on mediation. It has been established through a multilateral convention initiated by China and joined by 31 other countries, making a total of 32 founding member states.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, the organization aims to peacefully resolve international disputes between states, between states and foreign investors, and in international commercial matters — “based on the will of relevant parties.”

The body is rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, particularly Article 33, which identifies mediation as a key method for peaceful conflict resolution.

The IOMed seeks to fill a long-standing institutional gap in global mediation and is designed to complement existing mechanisms like litigation and arbitration.

With an emphasis on “autonomy, flexibility, pragmatism and high efficiency,” the IOMed draws from the strengths of multiple legal systems. It also aspires to promote “fairness, justice and equity” in international governance, while enhancing the participation and voice of the Global South.

—With additional input from AFP