BEIJING
Hong Kong’s long history in commercial arbitration and its global connectivity makes it an ideal international mediation center, said Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi hailing the city’s new role in advancing peaceful dispute resolution.
Ambassador Hashmi said the launch of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong marked a “transformational project “that offers a new approach to dispute resolution — one that embodies Asian wisdom and the Chinese emphasis on harrmony and unity.
A signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation was held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday, with 33 countries joining as founding members.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar signed the deal on behalf of his country. He called China’s initiative timely, saying it represents an important step toward strengthening the multilateral system.
In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Ambassador Hashmi said Hong Kong has strong credentials to be an international mediation center. “Disagreements and disputes are inevitable, but it is also possible to craft ways and means of conciliation, mediation, to resolve them.”
The establishment of the mediation body carries a distinct Chinese footprint — harmony, he said. “At the core of things, it is harmony — bringing people together… At the end of the day, we are oe one family.
“While disagreements will continue to arise, it is also possible to mediate those differences to resolve them.” The organization’s biggest value addition is the creation of a unique, state-to-state mediation platform, he said.
The United Nations possesses a mandate for conciliation, mediation, and the provision of good offices, as primarily outlined in Article 33 of the UN Charter.
“For that, UN secretary generals have been appointing special envoys for specific situations, but the international community backed a full-fledged organization,” Hashmi said.
The organization fills the gap and offers a new platform with the necessary tools to facilitate mediation — not only between states, but alsoo between states and commercial entities, he said.Unique value Hong Kong’s long history in commercial arbitration and its global connectivity make it an ideal international mediation center, says Pakistan’s ambassador to China, hailing the city’s new role in advancing peaceful dispute resolution.
