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.
- Aim: Established in 1899 to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.
