Kenya has been elected as one of the vice chairs of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China.
Kenya will be represented by Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Willy Bett, who was elected one of the two Vice-Chairpersons of the IOMed Governing Council.
The election follows the official inauguration of IOMed, marking the establishment of the new intergovernmental body aimed at mediating disputes between states, investors, and commercial entities.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya’s membership aligns with its leadership in mediation the push for peaceful dispute settlements.
“Kenya's membership to IOMed aligns with the country's leadership in mediation and the promotion of peaceful means to dispute settlement,” Principal Secretary Korir Song’Oei said.
IOMed becomes the newest intergovernmental organization, following the signing of its Constitutive Instrument on May 30, 2025, by 38 countries, including Kenya.
The launch event was graced by China’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying, and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer John Lee.
Professor Teresa Cheng, a Senior Counsel and Chartered Engineer who previously served as Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was appointed the first Secretary-General of the organization.
Dr. Sun Jin was named Deputy Secretary-General.
The newly formed body will focus on adjudicating disputes through mediation to reduce investment risks and promote a predictable, flexible, cost-effective, and efficient model of dispute resolution.
It will also provide capacity building for contracting parties.
The treaty, according to Sing’Oei, aligns with Kenya’s ongoing advocacy for the adoption of the Convention for the Support, Protection and Acceleration of Conflict Prevention and Resolution, which seeks to address intra-state conflicts through dialogue and cooperation.
The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary reiterated that Kenya’s participation in IOMed underscores its commitment to global peace and stability through diplomacy and mediation.
“IOMed treaty further dovetails with the proposal by Kenya for the enactment of the "Convention for the Support, Protection and Acceleration of Conflict Prevention and Resolution," to address intra state conflicts,” he added.
