Experts and diplomats at a recent seminar in Islamabad highlighted the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) as a landmark initiative with the potential to reshape global dispute resolution, particularly benefiting countries in the Global South. The event, organized by the China Program at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), brought together policymakers, legal experts, and academics to discuss China’s growing role in international mediation and the significance of IOMed in a multipolar world.
Opening the seminar, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, emphasized that IOMed marks an important step in strengthening global governance through mediation and dialogue. He noted that traditional forums like the United Nations Security Council have often struggled to resolve complex conflicts, pointing to ongoing disputes in regions such as Gaza, South Asia, and Jammu and Kashmir. Ambassador Saleem reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting China’s international initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Security Initiative.
Murtaza Solangi, advisor to the President of Pakistan and a former information minister, highlighted China’s civilizational tradition of prioritizing harmony and conciliation. He pointed out that the establishment of IOMed, with 33 founding member countries including Pakistan, offers a new path for both state-to-state and international commercial disputes. Solangi stressed the advantages of mediation—reduced costs, faster resolution, and the protection of sensitive relationships—and cited China’s success in facilitating the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran as an example Pakistan could learn from.
From the diplomatic side, Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, described IOMed as the world’s first intergovernmental body devoted exclusively to mediation. He contextualized the initiative within broader efforts to promote peace and uphold the principles of the UN Charter, cautioning that the world faces rising distrust fueled by power politics. Shi praised Pakistan’s support for IOMed and reiterated China’s determination to cooperate with the Global South in defending fairness and justice.
Legal expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi drew attention to China’s unique position among permanent UN Security Council members as a consistent mediator in international disputes. He described IOMed’s informal, adaptable approach as particularly suitable for technical issues—such as water sharing, transit, and trade—that frequently challenge existing mechanisms. Soofi encouraged Pakistan to utilize IOMed’s resources and noted the system’s resonance with local mediation traditions, such as jirgas.
Further reinforcing this perspective, Riffat Inam Butt of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan argued that mediation is emerging as the most practical resolution tool against the backdrop of increasingly politicized legal systems. She said the IOMed initiative supports a shift from the Global South being merely followers of international rules to becoming active contributors in shaping them. Butt advised that IOMed focus initially on commercial disputes to build credibility and avoid pitfalls like poor enforcement or perceptions of bias, drawing parallels with Pakistan’s own Trade Dispute Resolution Commission.
Hamid Sharif, President of the Global Think Tank Network and an international expert committee member at China’s Supreme People’s Court, noted that IOMed reflects a global move away from adversarial litigation toward consensual mediation. He highlighted skepticism among developing countries toward arbitration models perceived as Western, expensive, and biased. Mediation, he explained, fosters mutually agreed solutions and offers an effective alternative in an era where sanctions and multipolarity complicate international relations.
Dr. Bilal Zubair, director at the Center for International Strategic Studies, said the current instability in the international order makes China’s development and security initiatives increasingly relevant. He observed that IOMed’s emphasis on harmony, flexibility, and development reflects China’s cultural values and has secured support from across the Global South, especially Africa. Zubair described these elements as vital for addressing long-standing global conflicts.
During an interactive Q&A session, participants asked about the enforceability of mediated outcomes, the role of regional organizations, and how Pakistan might employ IOMed to address its unresolved disputes. The speakers agreed that building trust, ensuring the neutrality of the process, and connecting mediation to development goals are essential for IOMed’s long-term credibility and effectiveness.
Concluding the event, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem reaffirmed IRS’s dedication to promoting informed dialogue on new global governance mechanisms. He reiterated that IOMed represents not just a Chinese initiative but a valuable global public resource, with special significance for the Global South.
