Chief Executive John Lee on Friday said Hong Kong is striving to become an international mediation centre at a time when rising volatility in global affairs is making it "imperative" for more peaceful resolutions to be reached.

The remarks came as he delivered a speech at the Global Mediation Summit, hosted by the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) in Wan Chai.

Lee noted that more states had been joining IOMed, the Hong Kong-based dispute resolution body, since its inauguration last year.

"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," he told participants.

"Hong Kong is committed to becoming a global mediation capital. And we are well positioned to do this.

"Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China, our country. And now, as IOMed's headquarters, Hong Kong is at the very heart of global dispute resolution and its promising future."

Lee also said the country's 15th Five-Year Plan offers strong backing for IOMed and that the city welcomes governments, companies and investors to make use of the platform to settle disputes.

The summit is being attended by some 400 leaders, policymakers and industry professionals from 48 countries and regions, with panels covering cross-cultural global mediation, financial and investment dispute mediation.

The event also came as part of the five-day Mediation Week 2026, which opened on Monday with seminars on disputes related to schools, sports, the elderly and neighbourhoods.



Edited by Tony Sabine