The Global Mediation Summit was recently held in Hong Kong. This summit is hosted by the International Mediation Institute and is the first large-scale international conference hosted by the institute after its official establishment. The event attracted representatives from political, business, legal, and academic circles from over 60 countries and regions around the world to participate both online and offline. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on the effective use of mediation to peacefully resolve international disputes and build a global mediation ecosystem, promoting mediation as an important and convenient option for dispute resolution for more countries and businesses. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam stated in her speech at the summit that the International Court of Mediation has developed rapidly since its official establishment in October last year. The number of signatory countries to the Convention has increased from 37 at the time of its establishment to 41, and the number of signatory countries that have completed ratification has increased from 8 to 13. As the headquarters of the International Mediation Institute, Hong Kong relies on the unique advantages of "One Country, Two Systems" and is backed by the motherland and connected to the world. The "15th Five Year Plan" clearly supports Hong Kong's deepening of the construction of an international legal and dispute resolution service center. Hong Kong has a solid foundation and favorable conditions, and will strive to build a "global mediation capital". Zheng Ruohua, the first Secretary General of the International Mediation Institute, revealed that earlier this month, an international maritime dispute involving the chain of charter contracts was successfully resolved through mediation by the institute. This is a landmark achievement of the institution, of great significance to Hong Kong's maritime law and dispute resolution services industry. She stated that the Secretariat of the institution is collaborating with relevant parties such as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to explore the establishment of a specialized list of commodity market dispute mediators, and plans to hold training on international dispute mediation both online and offline. Cui Jianchun, a special envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, stated that the concept of "peace and cooperation" is in line with the theme of peace and development of the times. The current international situation is characterized by changes and turbulence, ongoing conflicts, and objective differences and disputes. Force is not the solution to these problems. Mediation emphasizes the spirit of the rule of law, respects the wishes of the parties, and balances procedural justice and outcome justice. Litigation, arbitration, and mediation complement each other and together form a diversified dispute resolution system. As the initiator and host country, China will continue to support the development of the International Mediation Institute, welcome more countries to join, and look forward to more countries and international organizations cooperating closely with it to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Lin Dingguo, stated that Hong Kong is a globally renowned international legal and dispute resolution service center, with a group of professional legal talents proficient in international dispute resolution. We believe that the International Court of Mediation, headquartered in Hong Kong, will make significant contributions to the international rule of law. The Hong Kong SAR government, especially the Department of Justice, will continue to make every effort to promote and support the work of the International Court of Mediation. Willy Bate, Vice President of the Council of the International Mediation Institute and Ambassador of Kenya to China, and Qi Dahai, Director General of the Treaty and Law Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively delivered keynote speeches at the meeting, emphasizing that mediation should shift from a passive alternative to an active first choice, and that cultivating a culture of mediation requires long-term efforts and collaborative efforts. Subsequently, the summit held three forums with the themes of "Promoters of Peace: The Wisdom of Top Mediators in Promoting Peace", "User Perspective: Why Governments and Investors Choose Mediation", and "Looking to the Future: Building a Global Mediation Ecosystem". Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on improving mediation mechanisms, building mediation culture, and cultivating mediation talents. The signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of an International Mediation Court was held on May 30, 2025, and the Convention officially came into effect on August 29, 2025. On October 20, 2025, the International Mediation Institute held its opening ceremony. As an extension of this global mediation summit, the International Mediation Institute will hold its first closed door seminar for signatory countries on May 9th to further implement its capacity building service functions. (Looking into the New Era)