33 Countries including China signed the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed, headquartered in Hong Kong. 

• Article 33 of the UN Charter provides for peaceful settlement of international disputes through negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement or other peaceful means. 
  • To implement these dispute settlement methods, international organizations including International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration have been established. 
  • However, so far, there was no established intergovernmental organization for mediation method of dispute settlement.

Other International Dispute Settlement Organizations

• International Court of Justice (ICJ): 
  • It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, established in 1945 through adoption of the UN Charter.
  • It is located in the Hague (Peace Palace), Netherlands.
  • It settles legal disputes submitted by States, and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.
• Permanent Court of Arbitration:
  • Aim: Established in 1899 to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.
    • First permanent intergovernmental organization to provide such a forum.
  • Headquarter: Peace Palace, Hague, Netherlands.