The world's first intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Hong Kong, the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), hosted its first Global Mediation Summit in Hong Kong today (May 8). The summit brought together mediation practitioners, policymakers, and leaders from around the world to explore cutting-edge developments in mediation for international dispute resolution. Attendees included Chief Executive John Lee, IOMed Secretary-General Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, and Cui Jianchun, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
On this occasion that drew global attention, a DotDotNews reporter conducted an exclusive interview with the keynote speaker, vice-chairperson of the IOMed Governing Council and Kenya's ambassador to China, Willy Bett. In the interview, Ambassador Bett spoke highly of the IOMed based in Hong Kong, calling it the first intergovernmental mediation organization, highly cost-effective, and with a bright future. He also explicitly supported the Chinese government's position on the peaceful resolution of the Iran issue, emphasizing that military conflict should never have happened in the first place and that there is always room for dialogue and negotiation.
Reporter: What is your assessment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) established in Hong Kong, and what are your expectations for it?
Ambassador Bett: The IOMed based here in Hong Kong is the best way forward. It is the first organization of mediation that is intergovernmental. We are looking forward to a situation where it is going to get more signatories, more contracted countries, so that world peace is achieved through the IOMed initiatives, which are cost-effective and built on trust. So IOMed's future is very bright in dispute resolution.
Reporter: The Chinese government recently stated on the Iran issue that it should be resolved through peaceful negotiations rather than military conflict. What is your view on this?
Ambassador Bett: I completely agree. The Chinese government's appeal that disputes should be resolved amicably is something we, the whole world, should embrace, because that is the only way to achieve long-lasting peace in the world now. Settling disputes militarily is only going to be a very costly affair. Apart from hardware and financial costs, the human cost is irreplaceable. Therefore, the Chinese assertion that it should be solved in a negotiable manner is something we, the whole world, should embrace.
Reporter: What do you think of the ongoing military conflicts between Iran, Israel, and the United States? Is it possible for them to end peacefully?
Ambassador Bett: I mean, all disputes, including what is happening now in Iran, should not have happened in the first place. They should have been resolved in a very peaceful manner. Because there is always room for discussion, there is always room for negotiation, and there is always room for understanding one another. Therefore, in every situation, let us give dialogue the opportunity to ensure that low costs, especially human costs, are experienced globally. So we are happy that something seems to be happening now in that area, and we look forward to a peaceful resolution now.
(Reporter: Lynn Zhou | Videographer: Lynn Zhou | Video Editor: Zoey Sun | Editor: Liu Yu)
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